Utrecht, Adriaen van – Una despensa Part 6 Prado Museum

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a wooden table laden with food and game. The artist has constructed a scene that is both abundant and somewhat unsettling in its presentation. A significant portion of the lower register is dominated by various fowl – ducks, geese, and prominently, a peacock – arranged amidst scattered grapes and other produce. Their lifelessness contrasts sharply with the vibrancy of the surrounding fruits and vegetables.
The table itself serves as a stage for this display. Upon it rests an assortment of items: a lobster positioned centrally, baskets overflowing with pears and plums, clusters of berries in bowls, and a metal pot suggesting recent preparation or storage. The arrangement is not haphazard; theres a deliberate layering and overlapping that creates depth and visual interest.
Hanging from the wall above are several game birds – likely ducks or similar fowl – further reinforcing the theme of abundance and consumption. These suspended figures create a sense of enclosure, drawing the viewer’s attention to the bounty displayed on the table below. The dark background serves to heighten the contrast with the brightly lit food items, emphasizing their textures and colors.
Beyond the purely descriptive elements, several subtexts emerge. The sheer volume of food suggests wealth and prosperity, indicative of a patron capable of affording such lavish provisions. However, the presence of dead animals introduces an element of mortality and transience. The juxtaposition of vibrant life (the fruits) with lifelessness (the game) hints at the fleeting nature of pleasure and the inevitability of decay.
The inclusion of the peacock is particularly noteworthy. As a symbol of vanity and pride, its display here could be interpreted as a cautionary tale against excessive indulgence or a commentary on the ephemeral nature of status. The overall effect is one of controlled opulence, tempered by an underlying awareness of mortality – a common theme in artistic representations of abundance during this period.