Different art movements and styles go out and in of fashion. Art critics don't consider Still Life painting fashionable at the present time but it is known as an influential art form. It's still well liked by the general public and many beginner artists find this type of art to be helpful in teaching composition and viewpoint. Artists have always fought to get models or to have enough light to color landscapes.

Setting up inanimate objects is convenient in contrast. Still Life painting can have a fishing or hunting theme. It was preferred in western art from the 17th century, particularly in France, Italy and Holland. The 19th century was a golden period for artists who needed to experiment with Still Life painting.

It appears tame to modern studio visitors today, but the work of Impressionists and Post-Impressionists surprised both the general public and critics when they were first exhibited. Unfortunately, he did not see success in his lifetime but the painting set new records when it was sold at auction and is now said to be a masterwork.

Paul Czanne was another artist who had a particularly individual style and is frequently known as the godfather of modern art. These earlier artists laid the base for what would be known as Cubism. Designed by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, this way of having a look at the world thru geometry frequently used Still Life painting as a method of expression. Juan Gris was another exponent of the form. Again, purists threw their arms up in denial as the style was given a make over. The Pop Artists of the 1960s also took to the form, leading to cultural landmarks like Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans. Artists painted Coca Cola bottles and other common-or-garden items, disagreeing that it was no different from an Old Master outlining a bottle of wine.