# Still Life with Books

- By: Jan Lievens (Leiden, 1607–1674)
- Date: c. 1628 - c. 1632
- Medium: panel, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: support: height 91 cm x width 120 cm
- Credit line: Purchased with the support of the Stichting tot Bevordering van de Belangen van het Rijksmuseum
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-A-4090--95512aae2f575f493b0a1ffddd2dfff3)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/jjmVB/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Appearances can be deceiving. What at first sight looks to be an overturned lute is just an old wooden case for the instrument. The books, too, are a disappointment; they are merely empty bindings, limp covers of leather or parchment meant to hold bills and other documents. These are all old objects – cast off, worthless and transitory.