Still life artwork refers mostly to the representation of inanimate objects at paints or photographs.

These objects (fruit, flowers, tableware, pottery) are arrangement using components of shape, color,
and texture. They are frequently related with the idea of the of the absent of human or animated
components. But truly in the meaning many of these elements are that they represented still as we
recall at our memories as, so we visually accept them as still. These combine with visual elements
generate the meaning and from that is where the compose is made.

I start my research on many different groups of still art but the one that attract my attention was a
painting name “Still Life: An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life” by Harmen Steenwyck. And is one of
the most classic example of Dutch “Vanitas” paintings, the title vanitas comes from a quote from the
book of Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” At first look the things that catch me were the
spare order of the objects at the painting (they look as they were leave for some years without been
place carefully) and the play of brightness and darkness that is really enhancing, using the light over the
skull that expand and seems over the next objects. I believe that the artist places these unrelated
objects to represent a meaningful idea. We can look alone in the table a shell highly polished that is
firmly related with birth and fertility as a symbol of wealth. In between is seen a chronometer and above
a gold oil lamp, that can mark length and passing of life and the transience and frailty of human life.
Directly opposite we see a skull, that can be relate to death or the idea of the life ending.

The Japanese sword (katana) is and object of hand work and war, that means power over things and
leading, near by is a purple cloth of silk that can relay to very expensive object and unique. Also, is
shown musical instruments and books, a side the skull, these are representations of pleasure of the
sense and the human knowledge, both luxuries of life. As we continue looking the objects we found that
they´re hugely relay to the life itself, as a continuum of items that rule over the sense of our lives.

Reading more about the connotation of this paints they were warnings that you should not be
concerned about the wealth and possessions you accumulate in this world as you can't take them with
you when you die. This profound message impact on me because as a student of medicine, the lifetime
of patience is very complex and so they ideas and believes that influent not only on the goal of a healthy
life but also on the motivations on live.

References:

American Federation of Teachers. (n.d.). Community schools. Retrieved from

- The Vermeer Newsletter Glossry of Art-Related Terms. Retrieve from:
http://www.essentialvermeer.com/glossary/glossary_q_z.html#stilllife
- The National Gallery. Paintings. Retrieve from:
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/harmen-steenwyck-still-life-an-allegory-of-the-
vanities-of-human-life