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.