A still life is a work of art that depicts mostly inanimate objects, either natural (such as fruit, flowers, dead animals, plants) or man-made (such as books, vases, glasses, jewelry). These objects are arranged by the artist to create a composition that focuses on color, light, shadow, and form rather than narrative or human figures
. Still life art has a long history, dating back to ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman art, but it became a distinct genre in Western art by the late 16th century, especially flourishing in the Netherlands during the 17th century. The genre allowed artists to experiment with composition, perspective, and technique, and often carried symbolic meanings or reflected the culture and values of the time
. The term "still life" comes from the Dutch word stilleven , meaning "still life," emphasizing the depiction of objects that do not move
. Still lifes can range from simple arrangements of a few items to complex groupings and often include everyday objects like fruit, flowers, utensils, books, and vessels
. Artists use still life to explore aesthetics, demonstrate skill, and sometimes convey deeper themes such as the fleeting nature of life (memento mori) or material pleasures
. The genre remains popular for its versatility and the creative freedom it offers to artists
. In summary, still life is an art genre focused on portraying arranged, non- living objects with an emphasis on visual composition, technique, and often symbolic meaning
