Flowers in a terracotta vase with dead game Franz Werner von Tamm (1658-1724)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a terracotta vase overflowing with blooms and intertwined with several dead birds. The vase itself is rendered in earthy tones, its form somewhat obscured by the profusion of flowers. A variety of blossoms are visible – pink roses dominate, interspersed with darker red and purple hues, creating a visually rich texture.

The birds, predominantly pigeons and what appears to be a pheasant or similar fowl, are arranged around the base of the vase. Their plumage is meticulously detailed, capturing the softness of feathers and the subtle variations in color. The lifelessness of the game is starkly contrasted with the vibrancy of the flowers; their bodies lie limp, conveying a sense of stillness and finality.

The background is dark and indistinct, contributing to the dramatic lighting that highlights the central elements. A patch of muted landscape appears on the right side, suggesting an outdoor setting but remaining largely undefined. The limited depth of field focuses attention entirely on the still life itself.

Subtextually, this arrangement seems to explore themes of transience and the cyclical nature of life and death. The juxtaposition of flourishing beauty (the flowers) with decay (the dead game) creates a poignant tension. Flowers are symbols of ephemeral beauty, their bloom inevitably followed by decline. Similarly, the birds represent sustenance and vitality, now rendered inert. This pairing might be interpreted as a memento mori, a reminder of mortality and the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures. The terracotta vase, an object both functional and decorative, could symbolize domesticity or the human attempt to contain and order the natural world – an effort ultimately undermined by the inevitability of decay.

The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting reflection on the delicate balance between life and death, beauty and loss.