This fabulous late-17th-century Flemish still life depicts a plethora of fruit, basket of flowers, cat, dog, cushion and juices.

Produced in around 1690, bounteous still lifes of this nature served a dual purpose. Firstly, they demonstrated the owner’s abundant wealth via the display of exotic imported wares and secondly, they conveyed a deeper meaning via hidden symbolic references.

There’s a remarkable selection of fruit on display here including red berries, pears, grapes, apples, peaches, a pomegranate, and a cantaloupe melon. While in the top left, several glass bottles stand within a terracotta bowl, partially filled with colourful liquid. It’s rare to find such an inclusion in still lifes from the period - perhaps they contain juices.

Adjacent to the bottles, a small pampered dog, probably a spaniel, is barking at a surprised tabby cat emerging from the shadows. Both appear to be arguing over the cantaloupe. This is likely to be an allegorical reference alluding to the perils of courtship.

The artist is unknown but it’s likely they originated from the provinces and derived influence from the painters of Antwerp, such as Clara Peeters (fl.1607-1621).

Held within a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 45” x 34” / 105cm x 86cm
Year of creation: c. 1690
Provenance: Private collection, Brussels, Belgium.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Later stretcher.
Our reference: BRV1788