Kitchen Interior with 2 dogs, Offal and a basket with fruits and vegetables

In a kitchen, a dog (a Friesian Wetterhound) guards its booty from another dog that appears on the left. Apparently, he has pulled away from his chain and is not giving up his booty (entrails) lightly. On the right of the painting, we see an overturned basket with artichokes, asparagus, a lemon and apples. At the top left, the painting is proudly signed "F. SNIJDERS.FECIT".
Frans Snijders had a predilection for depicting dogs and they appear frequently in his oeuvre. About seven -mostly larger works as is the case here- can be named as scenes in larders or front rooms of kitchens. The theme is usually similar: a dog defends its stolen loot against another dog (e.g. a painting on loan with a similar theme among others in the Snijders-Rockoxhuis "Larder with dogs and a cows head").
 It remains conjecture whether Snijders was pursuing a metaphor or deeper symbolism with this theme. However: each time, he shows himself to be a fantastic cinematographer and manages to render a scene just before the climax through which he builds the tension. Also typical is the dog's head on the left, which is only partially depicted (cut off from the composition it seems) which generates even more movement. The textures of the fur, meat, vegetables and fruit are fantastically rendered.

With a certificate of Prof. Fred Meijer, 30/09/2019
Signed upper left: F. SNIJDERS.Fecit
Oil on Canvas, 113 x 183 cm (44 ¹/₂ x 72 inches)