Still Life with Four Dead Birds, Elias Vonck, c. 1640 - c. 1652
Depictions of dead birds or other game were extremely popular in the 17th century. Elias Vonck specialized in this genre and painted dozens of game still lifes. The advantage of dead birds was that the artist could draw the animals in the desired position in peace and quiet. Especially the pose of the bullfinch with its snapped neck is a recurring element in his work.