Artwork
Still Life of Fish and Oysters with a Cat
Still Life of Fish and Oysters with a Cat is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Alexander Adriaenssen. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado. Created in 1601, this oil painting presents a modest banquet of marine fare set upon a simple tabletop.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1601, this oil painting presents a modest banquet of marine fare set upon a simple tabletop. Two plates hold a variety of fish—one large specimen and several smaller ones—while scattered oysters add texture. A cat, half concealed behind the table edge, watches the arrangement, lending a quiet narrative to the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The work exemplifies the Flemish tradition of still-life studies that celebrate everyday abundance. By juxtaposing edible sea creatures with a curious feline, the artist hints at themes of consumption, domesticity, and the fleeting nature of food, inviting viewers to contemplate the ordinary moments of a household setting.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette of muted earth tones and cool blues, allowing subtle shifts in light to model form. Careful brushwork renders the glistening scales and shells, while delicate handling of the cat’s fur creates a tactile contrast. The composition balances realism with a calm, orderly arrangement typical of early Baroque still lifes.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced by Alexander Adriaenssen, a Flemish painter known for his focus on fish and game subjects during the early 17th century. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work reflects the broader Dutch Golden Age milieu, when such genre paintings were in demand among merchants and collectors seeking representations of prosperity and daily life.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alexander Adriaenssen (1587–1661) was a Flemish Baroque painter, particularly known for his still-lifes of fish and game pieces. He also painted banquet pieces with food and flower still lifes.
