FastItalian LearningSign in
B1🎨 Art & Culture

Italian word

natura morta

still life (a genre of painting showing inanimate objects)

Looks like

natural / morte (death)

of nature; death

⚠️ The trap

'Natura morta' literally means 'dead nature' — the Italian term for what English calls 'still life'. The French equivalent is 'nature morte'. English 'still life' emphasises stillness; Italian/French emphasise the lifelessness of the depicted objects.

To say "of nature; death" in Italian:

natura morta (correct — literally 'dead nature')

"natura morta" in English means:

still life (a genre of painting showing inanimate objects)

Example

"Caravaggio ha dipinto alcune delle più belle nature morte della storia dell'arte."

"Caravaggio painted some of the most beautiful still lifes in art history."

Test your Italian level

Find your level and start the right lessons for you.

Take the test →