Renaissance & Baroque Still Life Symbolism | 6 Artwork Studies + Student Questions & Analysis
 
Teach your students how to read still life paintings with this beautifully organized symbolism resource! This packet introduces students to key still life symbolism and guides them through six major Renaissance and Baroque artworks with background info, enlarged images, symbolism explanations, and student questions. Perfect for art history lessons, writing prompts, early finishers, or deep-thinking warm-ups.
 
What’s Included:
Two pages of general still life symbolism (meanings, common objects, and visual clues).
Six famous still life paintings from the Renaissance/Baroque era.
For each artwork (3 pages per painting):
Enlarged image for print or digital display
Background page with symbolism clearly explained
Student question page (observation, interpretation, deeper thinking)
Artists included:
Harmen Steenwijck – Vanitas Still Life (1640s)
Pieter Claesz – Vanitas Still Life with Violin and Glassware (1630s)
Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin – The Ray (1728)
Clara Peeters – Still Life with Cheeses, Almonds and Pretzels (1615–1619)
Abraham van Beijeren – Still Life with Lobster (c. 1650)
Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin – Still Life with Attributes of the Arts (1766)
 
Why You’ll Love It:
Ready-to-teach resource that saves hours of prep time.
Helps students understand symbolism, vanitas themes, and historical context.
Encourages close looking, discussion, writing, and critical thinking.
Works for upper elementary through high school—easy to differentiate.
Great for art history units, homeschool lessons, subs, or interdisciplinary connections.