The period in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, that was characterized by a renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman art, philosophy, and science. Renaissance began in italy and spread over other european countries. It prefered motives from greek and roman mythology. Taking great interest in natural sciences and the individual human being, renaissance painters began to protray human beings and their environment in a more realistic manner. The portait became one of the typical forms of renaissance art.
Still life contains the depiction of dead or motionless objects arranged in a certain way. The range of representations extends from everyday objects to precious items. Thus there are distinguished inter alia flower, book, fish, breakfast and hunting still lifes. The attraction of the still life arises from the exciting relation between materiality und symbolism of the depicted objects; the still life is a preferred form of presentation for the Vanitas theme.