Still Life with Wild Fowl 1632

This 17th-century still life, "Still Life with Wild Fowl," by Alexander Adriaenssen, is a masterful display of Dutch realism. It depicts a variety of game, including fish, birds, and a cat, arranged on a table with a tablecloth, showcasing the artist's skill in rendering textures and details. The composition, with its emphasis on naturalism, exemplifies the popular genre of "pronkstilleven," which translates to "ostentatious still life," showcasing the abundance and wealth of the Dutch Golden Age. The inclusion of a cat, a symbol of domesticity, adds a touch of whimsy to the otherwise formal arrangement.