Adriaen van Utrecht (1599 - 1653, attributed to), Still life with big hunted birfs, lobster, pomp dish, grape and two live pigeons. Photo Hampel

Oil on Canvas. Relined. 85 x 123 cm. Estimate € 40.000 - 60.000

The objects in strong, but subtle colors on a stone table placed in the center of several hunting birds like pheasant shot, partridge, wild duck and a blue-feathered peacock. 
On the sides with a magnificent dish left standing, tall and shining golden ornamental bowl with light and dark grapes and vine leaves behind a brown jar with silver lid, asked each other in front, painted blue, Chinese dishes. In contrast, right at the edge of high copper kettle with about groups defined disk with a bright red out cancer in the lower left corner of several dead birds. As opposed to the still life with dead birds in the original sense of the term "Nature Morte," the painter to the fore two living, has made schnäbelnde pigeons. This opposition comments on the meaning of life style as "Memento Mori" allegory, quite the baroque sense. The lecture style of painting in the style of the Flemish naturalism considers the meaning of Frans Snyders and Jan Fyt. 

Hampel. Friday, 23 march 2012. http://www.hampel-auctions.com