Frans Snyders

Frans Snyders was the great Flemish painter of animals and abundance. His tables heave with game, fish, fruit and vegetables, his hunting scenes explode with snarling dogs and boars, and his market stalls overflow with produce.

Born in Antwerp, he trained with Pieter Brueghel the Younger and Hendrick van Balen, became a master in 1602 and visited Italy in 1608 and 1609. Back in Antwerp he often worked with Rubens, painting the animals, fruit and still-life details in Rubens’ compositions, and he also collaborated with van Dyck and Jordaens. His Concert of Birds is in the Prado, and the Hermitage holds a famous set of his market scenes.

Kitchen Still Life and Return from the Hunt show his rich colour and crowded, lively compositions.