Still Life with Monkeys

Still Life with Monkeys, albeit marked with a false (subsequently supplied) signature "J. Fyt f.", was doubtless painted by Frans Snyders. On the table laid with a distinctly red cloth, the painter arranged choice delicacies in luxurious porcelain vessels, baskets of fruit and vegetables. Particularly the lobster and boar´s head were precious delicacies, and their display here can be considered a sign of prosperity. Snyders liked to complete his still lifes with humans, or he included animals. The Prague item features two monkeys - the large basket is fought for by a guenon and a capuchin monkey. The monkeys provide the scene with a pleasant, joking atmosphere, yet at the same time, their presence bears a deeper significance. Their looting and senseless activity cause destruction - they have already overturned a bowl made of expensive Chinese porcelain. This allusion can thus be interpreted as a moral message - in a moment, someone`s hasty and insensible behaviour can ruin what others have built with great efforts.