["\"How do the objects in a still life reflect the habits, thoughts and aspirations of the time? This is one of the questions which Norbert Schneider asks in this book. The period between the late Middle Ages and the 17th century was without doubt the heyday of the still life. It is an art from which gives us valuable insights into changes of mentality and philosophy as well as people's notions of death. Still life's chart the history of scientific discoveries and their acceptance as well as the gradual replacement of the medieval concepts of the world. Norbert Schneider is Professor of Art History at the University of Munster, Germany. He has written books on the art of the Middle Ages, early modern times and the 19th century as well as on aesthetics and methods in art history\"."]