Still Life with a Dead Hare and Birds
- Date
- 17th c.
- Object type
- painting
- Technique
- oil
- Material
- canvas
- Dimensions
- 122,0 x 84,9 cm
- Acquisition date
- 1783
- Location
- The Palace on the Isle - Picture Gallery, ground floor
- Place of Origin
- Netherlands (Europe)
- Owner
- The Royal Łazienki
- Museum number
- ŁKr 933
The picture is a compilation of two different paintings dating from the 17th or first half of the 18th century, joined together by a piece of canvas—as revealed by the technical research carried out in 2012 … . A fragment of the first painting—71 x 47.5 cm (with a hare) and a fragment of the second one—36.5 x 45.5 cm (with birds) were extended by a piece of canvas on which part of the background with a landscape was painted, in order to obtain the current shape and dimensions. Each part is by a different hand: the cracquelure and the grounds differ (the first and the second piece—a red bole ground; the joining canvas—a pale grey ground).
This treatment was carried out before 1783: the picture is recorded in the first catalogue of the Stanisław August collection with the current dimensions. The aim was most probably to make a companion piece to the painting of a similar subject showing Hunting Trophies in a Niche (see cat. no. 1). The latter was also enlarged … before 1783; in the catalogues of the Stanisław August collection (1783 and further) the paintings are listed under nos. 3 and 4, with identical dimensions (42 x 19 inches) and are described as pendants.
Taking into account other examples which were not ‘original’ pendants in the king’s collection, as well as several paintings in which the supports have been extended—it can be assumed that these treatments were undertaken in Warsaw, for decorative purposes, by the artists employed by the king (cf. cat. nos. 1, 4, 7, 100 and 133). As is the case here—in accordance with the prevailing fashion for interior decoration, two still lifes with hunting trophies could be displayed as a pair. … [D. Juszczak, H. Małachowicz, The Stanisław August Collection of Paintings at the Royal Łazienki. Catalogue, Royal Łazienki Museum, Warsaw 2016, no. 118, p. 432.]
