This canvas was commissioned by Catherine II for the St Petersburg Academy of Arts and it is regarded as one of Chardin's best allegorical still-lifes. All the objects in the picture represent various Arts. In keeping with his realistic manner, the artist depicted every item from life. For instance, the statuette of Mercury, patron of art, by Pigalle, and the jug belonged to the artist himself and are well-known from his other works. The strict composition combines happily with the realistic rendering of texture and lighting.