Still life with books ^Sale

Jan Lievens (1627 - 1628)

Vanitas still life with books, a pewter jug, birch meier, pewter plate with bun, lute and two globes. To the left of the wall hangs a palette.

Appearances can be deceiving. What at first sight looks to be an overturned lute is just an old wooden case for the instrument. The books, too, are a disappointment; they are merely empty bindings, limp covers of leather or parchment meant to hold bills and other documents. These are all old objects – cast off, worthless and transitory.