Who painted Game and Fruit?

Game and Fruit was painted by Dirk Valkenburg in 1705.

Where can I see Game and Fruit?

Game and Fruit is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Game and Fruit?

Game and Fruit is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Game and Fruit?

Museum-quality prints of Game and Fruit are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Game and Fruit

Dirk Valkenburg , 1705

Game and Fruit is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Dirk Valkenburg. It dates from 1705 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Dirk Valkenburg’s 1705 oil painting Game and Fruit presents a still‑life arrangement of dead birds, a dog, and assorted fruit and vegetables. Set against a dark, muted backdrop, the composition highlights the warm browns and beiges of the subjects, while the visible brushwork adds tactile depth to the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes the lifeless forms of a hanging bird and a ground‑lying fowl with a vigilant dog, surrounded by grapes, apples and other produce. This contrast of death and abundance reflects a common Dutch still‑life theme that contemplates mortality and the pleasures of the table.

Technique & Style

Valkenburg employs a realistic rendering typical of Dutch Golden Age still lifes, using chiaroscuro to model the forms against the dark field. The palette relies on earthy tones, and the painter’s hand is evident in the textured brushstrokes that convey the feathers, fur and fruit skins with tactile precision.

History & Provenance

Born in Amsterdam in 1675, Valkenburg trained with several prominent artists before embarking on a 1706–1707 expedition to Suriname, where he recorded exotic flora and fauna. Game and Fruit was produced shortly before this journey, situating it within his early Dutch period.

Context

The painting aligns with the Dutch Golden Age’s fascination with detailed natural studies and moralizing still lifes. Valkenburg’s later reputation for exotic landscapes and bird studies suggests that Game and Fruit anticipates his interest in the natural world beyond Europe.