This genre of painting was established as an independent category of art in the 17th century. While the Netherlands were certainly pioneers in the subject, a small number of painters in Continental Europe followed suit - even in these early days. The subject matter for such depictions is focused on, but not limited to: kitchen scenes of delicately arranged fruit and flowers, decadent market scenes of fish, meat and shellfish, composition of hunting trophies as well as studiolo depictions of books, manuscripts and musical instruments. The growing intellectual concern for the natural world, the rise of the middle classes (replacing the state as well as the church as main patrons of the arts) and an increase of urbanisation all contributed to growing interest in inanimate objects.

Items we have sold from this category

Large Early 20th Century Still Life Oil

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20th Century Still Life Oil

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Early 20th Century Impressionist Still Life

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Four Rare Late 18th Century Chinese Export...

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Late 18th Century Plaster Relief Fragment ...

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A Still Life – Oil on Panel

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19th Century Pressed Ferns

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Nine 19th Century Hand-Pressed Seaweeds

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20th Century Oil Depicting a Fig

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Two Oils on Canvas – A Stylised Oran...

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Mid-20th Century Painted Panel Depicting P...

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19th Century Still Life Trompe-l’oei...

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18th Century Boiserie Panel

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A 17th Century Still Life Oil on Canvas

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A Mid-19th Century Victorian Floral Waterc...

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A Mid-19th Century Victorian Period Floral...

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A Mid-19th Century Early Victorian Floral ...

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A Mid-19th Century, Early Victorian Floral...

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A Late 19th Century Botanical Watercolour

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A Late 19th Century Botanical Watercolour

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