Who painted Hare, Fruit and Parrot?

Hare, Fruit and Parrot was painted by Jan Fyt in 1647.

Where can I see Hare, Fruit and Parrot?

Hare, Fruit and Parrot is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Hare, Fruit and Parrot?

Hare, Fruit and Parrot is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Hare, Fruit and Parrot?

Museum-quality prints of Hare, Fruit and Parrot are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Hare, Fruit and Parrot

Jan Fyt , 1647

Hare, Fruit and Parrot is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jan Fyt. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Jan Fyt’s *Hare, Fruit and Parrot* (1647) is an oil on canvas still‑life that brings together a dead hare, assorted fruit and a perched parrot. The composition is arranged on a white cloth and a simple table, creating a calm, balanced tableau that exemplifies the restrained palette and meticulous detail typical of mid‑17th‑century Flemish painting.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes the lifeless hare, bound with a pink ribbon, against the vivid presence of a tropical parrot, while a basket of apples, grapes and other fruit adds abundance. This contrast of death and vitality, common in Flemish vanitas traditions, invites contemplation of the transience of life and the fleeting pleasures of the material world.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, Fyt renders the fur, feathers and fruit with fine brushwork that captures texture and subtle tonal shifts. Muted browns, greens and earthy tones dominate, while the parrot’s plumage provides a restrained splash of colour. The meticulous rendering and careful modelling of light reflect the Baroque emphasis on realism and tactile presence.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1647, the canvas entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the 19th‑century Russian interest in Flemish Baroque works, and the painting has been documented in the museum’s catalogues as a representative example of Fyt’s oeuvre.

Context

Fyt was a leading figure in the Flemish Baroque still‑life tradition, known for integrating game, flowers and fruit into cohesive compositions. *Hare, Fruit and Parrot* illustrates his skill in combining zoological observation with decorative arrangement, situating the piece within a broader European fascination with natural history and the display of exotic specimens.