Still Life with Copulating Sparrows 1657

Cornelis de Heem's "Still Life with Copulating Sparrows" (1657) is a striking example of Dutch Baroque still life painting. The painting, now in the Städel Museum, features an abundance of fruit, including grapes, a melon, and figs, along with a variety of other objects like oysters, a seashell, and a musical instrument. The two sparrows in the upper right corner, engaged in a passionate embrace, add a symbolic element to the composition. This piece exemplifies the meticulous detail and realistic depiction of objects characteristic of Dutch still life, while incorporating the symbolic language prevalent in 17th-century art.