The main purpose of this book is to present a history of Dutch still-life painting in the 17th century, its antecedents in the 15th and 16th centuries, and foreshadowing the developments that were to follow. Exploration of the importance of symbolism, not only during the transitional period immediately after the inception of still-life proper but also during the 17th century itself. Separate chapters have been allotted to the earlier painters of flowers and fruit, of breakfast-pieces, of the later breakfast-pieces, of the Vanitas-still-life, and also of the game-pieces, each are treated as distinct groups. Chapters are devoted to Jan Davidsz. de Heem, to Abraham van Beyeren, and to Willem Kalf. Throughout this book emphasis has principally been given to the leading, creative masters by analysing the original and individual features which they introduced.