VIENNA, AUSTRIA.- The Kunsthistorisches Museum presents, in conjunction with the Kulturstiftung Ruhr in Essen, a major exhibition dedicated to the golden age of Flemish still-life painting between c. 1550 and 1670. About 120 paintings of the highest quality and importance, on loan from international museums, document the impressive variety and splendour of the genre "still life". The exhibition is divided into ten sections. The assembled masterpieces range from small-scale miniatures for connoisseurs to market- and kitchen-scenes, to bouquets, garlands and wreaths, to large-scale still-lifes of expensive objects d‘art. They date from the beginnings of the genre in the 16th century to examples of 17th century baroque splendour. Always present is the realisation of the transience of all these beautiful things. This knowledge, together with the artists‘ masterly imitation of different surfaces, glass and metal, thick fabrics and delicate flowers, fruit, shells and sweets, offers the viewer a glimpse of the profound philosophy of the age of Mannerism and the Baroque.