Who painted Dead game and fruit?

Dead game and fruit was painted by Jan Weenix in 1706.

Where can I see Dead game and fruit?

Dead game and fruit is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

What movement is Dead game and fruit?

Dead game and fruit is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Dead game and fruit

Jan Weenix , 1706

Dead game and fruit is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Weenix. It dates from 1706 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum. Created in 1706, this oil painting presents a still‑life composition of hunted game and fruit.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1706, this oil painting presents a still‑life composition of hunted game and fruit. A rabbit hangs from a branch while a pheasant and a peacock lie on the ground, accompanied by grapes and peaches. The darkened backdrop, hinted at with trees and foliage, frames the arrangement and emphasizes the somber tonal range.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes the lifeless bodies of the rabbit, pheasant and peacock with the abundance of fruit, suggesting themes of transience and the fleeting nature of bounty. The inclusion of both game and harvest produce reflects the Dutch interest in displaying the results of human labor and the inevitable decay that follows.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs strong chiaroscuro to model the forms, giving the animals and fruit a palpable three‑dimensionality against the deep shadows. A restrained palette of browns, muted greens and subdued reds reinforces the melancholic atmosphere while highlighting textures such as plumage, fur and the glossy skin of the fruit.

History & Provenance

The canvas was produced by Jan Weenix, a prominent still‑life painter of the Dutch Golden Age who trained under his father Jan Baptist Weenix and under his cousin Melchior d’Hondecoeter. It entered the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, where it remains on display as part of the institution’s Dutch Baroque holdings.