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Another version of a Game Stall, painted by Frans Snyders, a few years earlier than Game Stall at Market. Hermitage Museum Game Stall Snyders, Frans; Wildens, Jan (landscape) Oil on canvas Flanders, between 1618 and 1621 Collection of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall. 1779 Enlarge

This huge painting contains dazzling details. Notice how the table tilts unnaturally forward to give us a better view of shining metal, soft fur, delicate feathers and wet flesh. Beaks, wings, hooves and hands all point to each other, drawing our eyes across the composition. Rather than focusing our attention on a single important part of the painting, the arrangement of shapes and textures tells a story about the skill of the painter.

In the Renaissance, rarely did a single artist paint a painting of this size and complexity. Like most successful artists, Frans Snyders ran a busy studio in Flanders, filled with assistants. The human figures in the painting are thought to be executed by the hand of another artist, while Frans Snyders, himself was known for his ability to paint animals, particularly dead ones. Game Stall at Market was one of the most popular compositions from Snyder's studio. Many versions of this image were made, including some without the human figures or dogs.

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