Hunting still life

The oeuvre of the Maastricht-born still life painter Henri de Fromantiou comprises mainly flower and hunting still lifes.

A partridge hanging on a cord crosses a dead cock pheasant lying on a green hunting bag. The work refers to hunting, the favourite sport of royalty, for whom this painting must undoubtedly have been made. The two falcon’s hoods at the top underline the courtly nature of this sport. On the left, there is a basket containing the rolled-up net and a few small dead birds. Not only was Fromantiou able to paint true-to-life, as shown by the beautiful feathers of the catch and the velvet bag, but he also had a remarkable eye for detail, demonstrated by the fly and the drop of blood from the pheasant.