Dead Partridge Hanging from a Nail

Dead Partridge Hanging from a Nail

A dead partridge is hanging from a nail by a string tied round its feet. It hangs against a white plastered wall in bright sunlight. The work has been painted to look almost like the real thing, in spite of the sparing use of colours.
This type of deceptive painting, or trompe-l’oeil, was very popular in the mid-seventeenth century. This example is by Weenix, who is known mainly for his impressive Italian landscapes.

General information
Artist Jan Baptist Weenix (1621 - 1659/1661)
Titel Dead Partridge Hanging from a Nail
Dating c. 1650 - 1652
Object name painting
Material and technical details
Technique oil
Material canvas
Dimensions height: 50.6 cm
width: 43.5 cm
Other details
Inscriptions signed: Gio. Batta: Weenix f.
Inventory number 940
Origin Wttewaal van Stoetwegen Collection, Laren; S. Nijstad Gallery, The Hague; purchased by the Friends of the Mauritshuis Foundation, 1960; on long-term loan from the Friends of the Mauritshuis Foundation, since 1960

location mauritshuis Plein 29
2511 CS Den Haag