Frans Snyders
Flemish, 1579­1657
Still Life with Dead Game, Fruits, and Vegetables 
in a Market
1614
Oil on canvas
212 x 308 cm
Charles H. and Mary F. S. Worcester Collection, 1981.182

The images are nearly life-size in this very large painting. A painting of food or objects is called a “still life”—but this still life seems very active. Do you see the pickpocket? A cat’s glowing eyes? Fighting cocks? How many vegetables and fruit are in this jumble? How many animals?

The artist lived in the prosperous Flemish city of Antwerp. Snyders specialized in lively market scenes like this, which were very popular decorations in homes of the thriving middle class.