Still Life with a Falcon

Adriaen van Utrecht was one of the most talented epigones of the wildlife- and animal painter Frans Snijders (1579-1657). He even managed to surpass his renowned predecessor in certain subgenres, such as the 'pronk' still life [Dutch for 'ostentatious', 'ornate' or 'sumptuous' still life]. In addition, Van Utrecht's oeuvre, of which Greindl lists 57 signed and 44 unsigned works, consists mainly of fruit-, flower- and vanitas still lifes, garlands and scenes of mainly domesticated birds in the context of a farm.
In this respect, the present still life with poultry is exceptional in Van Utrecht's oeuvre. The hunting booty of a falconer is displayed before an almost abstracted background of rocks. The falcon's catch includes a jay on the right, a pied woodpecker in the back left, a female pheasant in the centre and several sparrows strung on a stick. There is also something ostentatious and luxurious about this still life, as the sport of falconry was not reserved for the common poachers. Falconers in the 17th century were primarily associated with the royal courts, where falconry was a popular pastime.

Signed and dated center below Adriaen van Utrecht/ 1648.
Oil on panel, 45 x 64,5cm