Joannes Fijt Antwerp 1611 - 1661

This monumental painting is an important addition to the known oeuvre of Joannes Fijt. It is unusual in its monumental scale, and also in its lively depiction of the animals in their natural habitat, in contrast to Fijt's more conventional depiction of game already captured, or displayed as a trophy guarded by dogs. No preliminary drawings appear to be known. A similar signed work by Fijt showing Three hares eating blackberries in a rocky landscape was sold New York, Sotheby's, 11 January 1990, lot 54.

In its naturalism, as well as its scale, this picture almost appears to be a step back towards the conventional way his old master Frans Snijders (1579-1657) chose his compositions for hunting scenes. Fijt's style, somewhat based on Snijders work, proved to be inmensely popular. Executed in 1658, a year after Snijders' death, Fijt's sketchy brushwork and mostly rather intimate gamepieces offered good alternatives to Snijders'grand and monumental displays.

Jan Fijt is considered one of the most prolific Flemish still-life and game painters. Born in Antwerp he studied under Hans van der Berch (active in 1621-?) at the age of ten and soon after entered the studio of Frans Snijders. In 1633-34 Fijt lived in Paris and subsequently Venice and Rome. In 1641 he returned to Antwerp where he was remained until his death in 1661. Among his followers, Pieter Boel (1622-1674) and David de Coninck (c.1646- c.1699) where his most influential successors.