Still Life with Dead Birds and Game Bag by Willem van Aelst. A collection of small game birds including a bullfinch and kingfisher, alongside a leather hunting bag, resting on a dark draped cloth.

Still Life with Dead Birds and Game Bag

Willem van Aelst

1674 · Oil Paint, Canvas

An exquisite 17th-century Dutch still life depicting a hunting trophy with vibrant plumage against a dramatic dark backdrop.

$129

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6 frame sizes

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Where it works

A grounded artwork with confident presence with warm, lived-in color — brings a composed sense of weight.

Often works in
Library · Dining Room · Study
Placement
Strongest where a vertical wall can take more presence
Walls
Best where a lighter wall gives it room to show
Color notes
Charcoal black

About the piece

Painted in 1674 by the Dutch master Willem van Aelst, this hunting still life showcases the artist's extraordinary ability to render textures, from the soft down of the birds' feathers to the supple leather of the game bag and the sheen of the silk drape. The dramatic use of chiaroscuro emphasizes the vibrant colors of the bullfinch and kingfisher, creating a sophisticated and atmospheric composition typical of the Dutch Golden Age.

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