Frans Snyders – Still life with monkey, cat and squirrel Liechtenstein Museum (Vienna)

The composition presents a lavish display of foodstuffs arranged on a crimson tablecloth, set against a shadowed backdrop and partially framed by a decorative panel. A profusion of fruits – grapes in varying shades of green and purple, peaches, pears, and other unidentified varieties – overflows from a wicker basket situated towards the right side of the canvas. These are juxtaposed with game animals: a hare sprawls across the foreground, accompanied by a pheasant, several fowl, and what appears to be a small rabbit. A squirrel perches on the edge of the basket, seemingly poised to partake in the bounty. A cat is partially obscured beneath the hare, its gaze fixed intently upon the scene.

The artist’s meticulous rendering emphasizes texture; the downy feathers of the birds contrast with the smooth skin of the fruit and the coarse fur of the animals. Light plays a crucial role, illuminating certain elements while leaving others in shadow, creating depth and highlighting the richness of the colors. The arrangement is not merely decorative but carries symbolic weight.

The presence of both fruits and game suggests an abundance and prosperity, characteristic of still life paintings from this period. However, the inclusion of animals – particularly those engaged in a predatory or mischievous manner (the cat’s intent gaze, the squirrels readiness) – introduces a layer of complexity. These creatures disrupt the idealized notion of plenty, hinting at themes of transience, decay, and the inherent instability of material wealth. The monkey, often associated with trickery and unrestrained appetite in visual culture, further reinforces this sense of playful chaos.

The arrangement also subtly alludes to the vanitas tradition – a genre that uses symbolic objects to remind viewers of the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures and the inevitability of death. While the scene is undeniably opulent, it implicitly acknowledges the impermanence of such abundance. The juxtaposition of life (the animals) and potential consumption (the fruits and game) creates a visual tension that invites contemplation on mortality and the ephemeral quality of material possessions.