Adriaenssen, Alexander – Bodegón: pescados y un gato tras la mesa Part 3 Prado Museum

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around fish and a feline presence, set against a dark, undefined background. A wooden table dominates the foreground, serving as the stage for this assemblage of objects. Several whole fish are displayed in a shallow basin or trough, their silvery scales rendered with meticulous detail. The artist has depicted them partially cleaned, revealing internal structures and raw flesh, which contributes to an unsettling realism.
Hanging from hooks affixed to a dark wooden structure behind the table are additional fish, their forms suspended in space. These appear larger than those within the basin, emphasizing a sense of abundance or perhaps hinting at a hierarchy within the food chain. A single cat is positioned near the base of the table, its gaze fixed on the fish. The animal’s posture suggests both curiosity and predatory intent, adding an element of tension to the scene.
Scattered around the table are pieces of cut fish, their vibrant orange flesh contrasting sharply with the muted tones of the surrounding elements. This juxtaposition draws attention to the perishable nature of the subject matter and underscores the theme of mortality often associated with still life paintings. The lighting is dramatic, highlighting certain areas while leaving others in shadow, which enhances the three-dimensionality of the objects and creates a sense of depth within the composition.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of food, the work seems to explore themes of transience, decay, and the relationship between humans and nature. The presence of the cat introduces an element of wildness into what might otherwise be perceived as a purely domestic scene. The meticulous rendering of the fish’s anatomy could also be interpreted as a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to consider the complex interplay between beauty, decay, and existence.