‘Still life is the touchstone of painting.’

– Édouard Manet, artist

Did you know the term ‘still life’ comes from the Dutch word ‘stilleven’? Established in the late 16^th century, the still life genre pops up in many major art movements, including impressionism and cubism.

Still life artworks focus on inanimate subject matters, and can include arrangements of natural and man-made objects. The four most common types of still life art are:

• Flowers – think bouquets and vases filled with flowers in both bright and muted colours
• Food – usually lavish spreads or breakfast foods, but often, arranged amongst household items
• Animals – either alive or dead, with a focus on texture
• Symbolic or vanitas – where objects are specially chosen and arranged to convey a deeper meaning or narrative.

This collection of still life artworks shows how the genre is still an engaging art form for student artists to experiment with as they learn more about art styles and techniques.