With charm as of 500 years ago, the elaborate compositions of exotic fruits, oyster dishes, floral arrangements, and skulls, as well as exquisitely decorated musical and scientific instruments, testify to the wealth and hedonism of the Baroque era. This richly illustrated book includes a pictorial glossary and highlights the internationally recognized collection of still lifes housed in the Dresden Gallery. It explores the impressive masterpieces of Dutch and Flemish painting, analyzing the significance, content, and function of still lifes, as well as the allegories and symbols hidden in their encoded messages. Over 70 still lifes from the Dresden collection by artists such as Cornelis de Heem, Abraham Mignon, Rachel Ruysch, and Frans Snyders offer a unique insight into the golden age of this magical genre.