Who painted A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds?

A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds was painted by Frans Snyders in 1601-01-01.

Where can I see A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds?

A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds?

A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds

Frans Snyders , 1601

A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Frans Snyders. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Snyders' rendering emphasizes naturalistic detail, reflecting the Baroque interest in studying nature directly.

The painting depicts a small owl surrounded by a group of birds, a motif that combines realistic animal observation with symbolic references to wisdom and vigilance. The owl, often associated with Athena, conveys intellectual insight, while the surrounding flock may suggest communal harmony or the artist's fascination with avian behavior. Snyders' rendering emphasizes naturalistic detail, reflecting the Baroque interest in studying nature directly.

The work is housed in the Museo del Prado, where it was once part of the royal collection of Ferdinand VII of Spain, underscoring its historical significance within the Spanish court.

Technique & Style

Created by Frans Snyders, A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 91.5 cm in height and 188 cm in width, presenting a substantial horizontal format typical of large-scale animal compositions. Classified within the genre of animal art, the painting depicts a sky populated by an owl and a flock of birds.

The handling of the medium captures these natural subjects within a dynamic arrangement, characteristic of Snyders' specialization in fauna and still-life elements.

History & Provenance

Frans Snyders created the oil painting A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds in 1601. Executed on canvas, the work measures 91.5 cm in height and 188 cm in width. The painting entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, having been previously owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain.

While some records suggest a broader inception period starting in 1601 and extending to 1650, the specific date of 1601 is established for this piece.

A Little Owl and a Flock of Birds is held by the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it forms part of the museum's collection of animal paintings by Frans Snyders []. The painting entered the Spanish royal holdings through ownership by Ferdinand VII of Spain, whose collections later passed into the institution []. No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented beyond its current placement in the Prado's collection.

Overview

Frans Snyders’ oil on canvas, dated 1601, presents a lively aerial scene in which a diminutive owl occupies the left foreground while a multitude of birds traverse a softly lit sky. The composition balances the owl’s stillness against the surrounding motion, creating a focal point amid the bustling avian activity. The work is part of the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.