The Collector's Cabinet

Jan Snellinck, also a painter himself, kept an art shop in Antwerp. We think that the bald-headed figure at the back of the painting on the right is him holding a miniature. The scene took place in 1621 (the date is inscribed to the left of the windows) and gives a pretty good idea of art aficionado's taste at the beginning of the 17th century. In the centre of the room, a commis is unveiling a large table with several antiques arranged on it. In the left foreground, on another table, books, a world atlas and several collectable objects are being displayed to customers. Among the numerous paintings on display, we have identified Frans Floris's Adam and Eve with 100% certainty, above a very beautiful Renaissance dresser. On the floor in the foreground, a 'Virgin with Child framed with a Garland of Flowers' and a large still life were part of the genres which were becoming increasingly popular in the 17th century in Netherlandish art.