Definition

1. Noun:
   • A genre of art, particularly painting, that depicts inanimate objects. These objects are typically commonplace items such as fruit, flowers, glassware, books, or musical instruments, arranged by the artist.
   • A specific work of art created in this genre.

Usage

• The term is used to describe both the artistic genre and individual artworks.
• It is commonly used in the context of art history, criticism, and education.
• The plural form is "still lifes."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The museum has an excellent collection of 17th-century Dutch still life.
  • Her favorite painting in the gallery was a still life of a vase with sunflowers and a book.
  • The art class focused on techniques for drawing still life.

Advanced Usage

• "Still life with...": A common title format for such paintings, specifying the main objects depicted.
  • "Still Life with Apples and a Knife" is a famous work by Paul Cézanne.
• The genre is often used to explore themes like the transience of life (vanitas), beauty in the ordinary, and the artist's skill in rendering texture and light.

Variants and Related Words

• Still-life (adjective): Used to describe something related to this genre.
  • She is a still-life painter.
  • The course covers still-life composition.

Synonyms

• Nature morte: The French term for still life, often used in English art contexts.
• Inanimate study: A descriptive phrase for the genre.

Notes on Meaning

• The core concept is the depiction of objects that do not move or are not alive. This contrasts with genres like portraiture (people) or landscape (living nature).
• While historically focused on painting, the term can also apply to photography that arranges and captures inanimate subjects in a similar artistic manner.

Noun

1. a painting of inanimate objects such as fruit or flowers