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STILL LIFE AND ANIMAL paintings

Edward Collier active 1662-1708

Still Life 1699

Oil on canvas
Purchased 1948
N05856

This seemingly straightforward arrangement of objects alludes to several major themes of the period. The wider world is referred to by the globe and the atlas. A political element is included through the transcript of a speech delivered by William III to Parliament, concerning the disbandment of the army.

But is the painting wholly worldly, or does it have a more philosophical element? The Latin motto on the left translates as ‘Life is short, but art endures’.

Still Life