Who painted Perro con presa?

Perro con presa was painted by Frans Snyders in 1601.

Where can I see Perro con presa?

Perro con presa is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Perro con presa?

Perro con presa is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Perro con presa?

Museum-quality prints of Perro con presa are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Perro con presa

Frans Snyders , 1601

Perro con presa is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Frans Snyders. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

Frans Snyders’ oil on canvas, dated 1601, is part of the Museo del Prado collection. The work depicts an interior space where a dog and a monkey interact amid scattered objects such as a basket, a knife and fruit. The composition is rendered in a low-key light, creating a confined, intimate atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre of the scene a dog stands on its hind legs, its mouth open in a growl directed at a startled monkey perched on a chair. The juxtaposition of the two animals, traditionally symbolic of loyalty and mischief, generates a tension that suggests a moral or allegorical commentary on behavior and hierarchy.

Technique & Style

Snyders employs pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the warm glow from an unseen source to illuminate the figures while casting deep shadows across the floor. The brushwork captures the texture of fur and the sheen of metal, and the careful modeling of light enhances the emotional charge of the encounter.

History & Provenance

Executed in the early seventeenth century, the painting entered the Spanish royal collection before being transferred to the Prado Museum, where it remains on display. Its provenance reflects the typical movement of Flemish works into Iberian royal holdings during the period.