Christopher Tombs Antiques Ltd has dated this Flemish Baroque Oil Painting to the 17th Century.
This is a classic Flemish Baroque still-life painting by Frans Snyders (also spelled Snijders, 1579–1657), a master of the genre known for his lavish depictions of market stalls, kitchens, hunting trophies, and animals.
The dogs are the dynamic focal point. On the left, a larger black-and-white dog (with a prominent white ruff and facial markings) leans intently forward, mouth open and teeth gripping a bone or piece of meat it has pulled from the carcass. Its expression is focused and possessive. To the right stands a smaller, reddish-brown dog, alert and eager, head turned toward the prize with its mouth slightly agape as if barking, growling, or waiting for an opening. The interaction between the two animals creates a lively sense of tension and movement.
The still-life elements include a large wicker basket overflowing with ripe fruit clusters of white and purple grapes, red apples, and other produce positioned on the left. Next to it, in the immediate foreground, lies a large, realistic cut of raw meat: the severed head of a Cow, rendered with extraordinary detail, including the snout, closed eyes, and fleshy textures. A few bones or scraps protrude, heightening the raw, tactile quality of the scene.
Lighting and mood: The entire scene is set against a deep, almost black background. Strong chiaroscuro lighting dramatically illuminates the dogs, fruit, and meat, making them glow against the darkness. This technique gives the painting its characteristic Baroque intensity, depth, and sense of immediacy as if you’ve just walked into a kitchen or larder where the dogs have gotten into the provisions.
Presentation: The painting is displayed in an ornate, gilded frame with elaborate floral and scroll work detailing, typical of how such grand 17th-century works are exhibited in museums today.
Snyders specialized in these “game and pantry” scenes, often collaborating with artists like Peter Paul Rubens (who sometimes painted the figures while Snyders handled the still-life elements). His works celebrate abundance, sensory pleasure, and the natural world, while showcasing his extraordinary skill at rendering fur, flesh, fruit, and fabric with almost photographic realism. This particular piece captures the lively, slightly chaotic energy that distinguishes Snyders from more static still-life painters of the period.
On reverse, it has been stamped by John Nairn & Son, Dublin. He was a top restorer from Dublin and primarily worked restoring paintings for museums and titled clients, offering to transfer original canvas to new canvas and the restoration of pictures.
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Many Thanks for looking.
Chris.
Christopher Tombs Antiques Ltd has dated this Flemish Baroque Oil Painting to the 17th Century.
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Dogs Stealing Food from a Basket Oil Painting by Frans Snyders
