Two lapdogs and a parrot amidst grapes, pomegranates and pumpkins, a park landscape beyond,
oil on canvas, 108.5 x 148.5 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private European collection

The present painting is a skilful example for Roman still life painting in the 17th century. The foreground of the composition is adorned with ripe, plump pumpkins, pomegranates and clusters of luscious grapes, their vibrant hues evoking a sense of fecundity and plenty. Two playful little dogs frolic amidst the abundance, adding a touch of lively charm to the scene. Their presence is a nod to the tradition of incorporating animals in still life painting, where they often symbolise fidelity or worldly pleasures. In the right background a vast park landscape unfolds, inviting contemplation of the harmonious coexistence between cultivated bounty and untamed nature.

The influence of David de Coninck, a prominent Flemish still life painter of his time, is evident in this work. De Coninck was renowned for his skilful rendering of fruits and vegetables, and his impact on the Roman art scene was profound. The present painting shows his influence in its meticulous attention to botanical accuracy and the vivid rendering of natural textures. It is a testament to the cross-cultural exchange that characterised the artistic milieu of 17th-century Rome, where Flemish and Italian painters influenced each other’s work.