Who painted Fruit and poultry with hound?

Fruit and poultry with hound was painted by Jan Fyt in 1652.

Where can I see Fruit and poultry with hound?

Fruit and poultry with hound is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Fruit and poultry with hound?

Fruit and poultry with hound is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Fruit and poultry with hound

Jan Fyt , 1652

Fruit and poultry with hound is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jan Fyt. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1652, this oil painting by Jan Fyt presents a carefully arranged still life that merges elements of the hunt with domestic abundance.

Created in 1652, this oil painting by Jan Fyt presents a carefully arranged still life that merges elements of the hunt with domestic abundance. A brown‑and‑white hound occupies the left foreground, while a slain pheasant and partridge lie on a draped cloth beside a small blue‑white bowl. To the right, a basket overflows with grapes, plums, leaves and twigs, all set against a darkened backdrop that heightens the vivid tones.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes the vitality of the alert dog with the stillness of the dead game, a common motif in Flemish Baroque that reflects both the triumph of the hunt and the transience of life. The fruit and foliage introduce a note of earthly plenty, suggesting a celebration of bounty while also alluding to the fleeting nature of material pleasures.

Technique & Style

Fyt renders each surface with meticulous attention: the soft down of feathers, the glossy skin of grapes, and the tactile fur of the hound are distinguished through subtle gradations of light. The dark, almost tenebrous background functions as a chiaroscuro device, allowing the illuminated objects to emerge with striking clarity, a hallmark of the Baroque aesthetic.

History & Provenance

The work entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it remains on public display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader commitment to representing the richness of Flemish Baroque painting, particularly the oeuvre of artists known for integrating still life and animal subjects.

Context

Jan Fyt (1611‑1661) was a leading figure in 17th‑century Antwerp, celebrated for his ability to combine detailed fruit and flower arrangements with dynamic animal scenes. This painting exemplifies his typical practice of merging hunting imagery with domestic still life, a synthesis that appealed to the tastes of affluent patrons who prized both decorative beauty and symbolic depth.