The depiction of inanimate objects is called still life. Common subjects include flowers and fruit, tableware, books newspapers, and musical instruments. The function of a still life may be straightforward representation, or the artist intend to convey a more subtle, moral message. Traditionally, still lifes and stilllife elements of larger mpositionsve complex iconographical significance. For example, the presence of books, maps, or writing materials in portraiture refers to the sitters knowledge and education. Cut flowers, a snuffedout candle, or signs of decay in fruit and other food represent the transience of life and are meant to remind viewers of their own mortality.Stilllife painting ourished in Europe particularly in Holland in the seventeenth century, and examples were brought to America by the Dutch. Early stilllife painters in America were mainly selftaught; their work is among the best examples of early American folk art. Shop signs from this period often incorporated elements of still lifean effective method of advertising to se customers who could not read.

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