In the simplest of terms, still life is a work of art that depicts (mostly) inanimate objects, usually commonplace objects either natural or man-made (fruit, food, flowers, plants - glasses, books, vases etc). Still life gives the artist freedom of arrangement, therefore choice of composition, texture, colours, layering, lighting and tones. Early still-life examples often contained religious and allegorical symbolism relating to the objects. Hans Memling's example:
Flowers in a Jug, circa 1485
Oil on panel, 28.5 x 21.5 cm
Still life developed majorly in the Netherlands, particularly towards the end of the 16th century. Protestant Netherlands broke aware from the Catholic Church and the use of religious matter and symbolism was coming to an end in Dutch art. Still life was still a popular art 'category', but being such a broad term it split off into several 'sub-categories'.
The most known being: Floral, Breakfast, Vanitas, Banquet.
Floral
The Dutch East India Company (founded in 1602) had a 21-year trade with Asia. Flowers were a large part of this trade, being brought to Holland and were a symbol of Dutch pride being a part of trade. Each flower had its own symbolic meaning and were chosen in paintings for this, rather than their appearance.
Floral Still Life, Rachel Ruysch, 1704
In this particular image, this sort of arrangement would be impossible as the flowers were in bloom at different stages of the year. Again each flower has its own significance, whilst insects were painted which also had their own meaning, tied into Christianity. Bee = passion. Its stinger = Christ's crown of thorns. Butterfly = resurrection/soul. Flowers = fleeting nature of life, from buds to blooms to withering.
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