Melchior d`Hondecoeter (1636-1695), A hunting still life with a pigeon, partridge, finches and a kingfisher on a stone ledge, oil on canvas, 69x59 cm, This graceful still life is exemplifying for Melchior d’Hondecoeter’s early work. The artist specialized in painting hunting still lifes, birds, poultry, and elegant landscapes with exotic birds. Following up on his Flemish predecessors, Frans Snijders (1579-1657) and Jan Brueghel II (1601-1678), d’Hondecoeter has elevated the theme of bird concerts and hunting still lifes in the Netherlands together with his cousin Jan Weenix (1641-1719).This well-balanced composition shows the qualities of d’Hondecoeter as a still life painter. The sceneis set in subtle brownish tones with, in the centre, the white wing of a pigeon, drawing our eyes into the composition. The pigeon and partridge, delicately placed on the stone ledge, dominate the painting. Yet, some smaller birds such as finches and a kingfisher are cautiously placed around them, completing the scene harmoniously. Behind the birds, some hunting equipment is visible with a large bird’s cage to the left. The very subtle muted palette and unity of the composition make this painting a typical work by one of Holland`s master painters of hunting still lifes.