How to style a still life inspired by Jan van Kessel's “Vanitas Still Life”

Want to take your craft to the next level? We can help.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to style a still life through key lessons on composition, lighting, and more, inspired by Jan van Kessel’s “Vanitas Still Life.”
Known for his depictions of nature, Jan van Kessel was 17th century Flemish painter who depicted animals and still scenes with intense detail and accuracy. His craft can inspire the artist in you.
Ready to create your own still life? Here’s what you’ll need:
-Assorted objects
-Board to hold objects
-Color wheel (to show how the colors of the objects can be complimentary)
-Drapery/backdrop
-Lazy Susan (to show how lighting changes as the objects move)
-Light source
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[@NationalGalleryofArtUS]

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[@KarlaCarnewal]

I love the bubbles

[@m.m.3238]

This Is SOOOO AWESOME!!!!!

[@NationalGalleryofArtUS]

You are so awesome!

[@ottarsdatter]

There are two shallow cups with sticks protruding--are they oil lamps? Why are there two? Why aren't they lighted? What else could they be? (I SO want to recreate this still life! I'm still noodling around with my Matisse rug from before.)

[@NationalGalleryofArtUS]

Hello! Thank you for the question! For this video the amazing production designer used a gold bottle cap, and she's not sure if the cups had a purpose as practical as an oil lamp, they may simply be things the artist had around the house to add some visual interest. One place always worth checking is the image description on our website! We love to share all the great info we have there. The description is pretty simple for these: "A shallow dish, perhaps a shell, sits atop the hourglass with a short straw or stick resting against the lip to our right." And for the other "Another small bowl and stick, this set of burnished gold, sits between the vase and skull." Hope that helps and can't wait to see what you come up with! www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.93323.html