Still life with fruit, dogs, and a cat, Italy, 17th century

Still life with fruit, dogs, and a cat, Italy, 17th century Dimensions: With frame cm W 93 x H 75.5 x D 4; Canvas cm W 82.5 x H 66.5 Price: private negotiation Object accompanied by a certificate of authenticity The painting, made in oil on canvas, is stylistically attributable to a painter active in Italy in the 17th century. The work depicts a still life composed on a table covered with a tablecloth: some peaches, white and black grapes, and a few white flowers are placed inside a wicker basket. Pears, plums, a pomegranate, some doughnuts, taralli and a slice of nougat are described on the surface. On the right in the foreground, a small dog with long, wavy white hair looks towards a cat, sporting a precious collar with embedded stones and a red bow. This detail reveals a noble or wealthy bourgeois commission, who loved to have their pet portrayed, which was often accompanied by luxurious accessories worthy of the prestigious residence in which it lived. In the background, another small dog sits on soft red and blue fabrics. On a low wall that serves as a backdrop, a cat cautiously observes the dog with the collar, while on the right a column with a fluted shaft acts as a backdrop to the composition. Between the low wall and the wicker basket, the author inserts the trunk of a tree with some branches of leaves, which bends towards the left, coming out of the canvas. A trick that allows to create greater three-dimensionality and movement to the scene. The sky that surrounds the described elements is a bright blue that reflects the blues present in the composition. The chromatic palette is bright and played with harmony between the tones of reds, yellows, blues and green. The whole is very decorative and pleasant and the painting is suitable for display in various environments such as living rooms and studies, entrances but also dining rooms. In good condition, the work is undergoing historical and artistic study. The painting is mounted in a 19th-century frame, adapted to the dimensions of the frame.