Still life with rabbits, flowers and fruit; Stillleben mit Kaninchen, Blumen und Früchten Franz Werner von Tamm (1658-1724)

The composition presents a carefully arranged still life, dominated by a sense of opulent abundance and fleeting vitality. Here we see a white rabbit positioned prominently on the left side, its gaze directed towards the viewer with an unsettling directness. The animals fur is rendered with meticulous detail, capturing both softness and alertness. Its presence introduces a dynamic element to what would otherwise be a static arrangement.
A vibrant bouquet of flowers occupies the central space. Roses in varying shades of pink and white are intertwined with other blossoms – geraniums and blue cornflowers – creating a riot of color against the dark background. The flowers spill from a yellow ceramic vase, its surface reflecting light and adding to the overall richness of the scene. Scattered around the base of the vase are several pieces of fruit – cherries, their glossy surfaces catching the light - and additional foliage, further contributing to the feeling of overflowing plenty.
The artist employed a dark, almost impenetrable background that serves to isolate and highlight the objects in the foreground. This technique intensifies the contrast between the brightly lit elements and creates a sense of depth within the composition. The lighting itself is dramatic, with strong highlights and deep shadows emphasizing the textures and forms of each object.
Beyond the purely decorative aspects, the painting carries symbolic weight. Rabbits were often associated with fertility and abundance in art, but also with timidity and vulnerability. Their presence alongside the flowers and fruit suggests a meditation on the cycle of life, growth, and decay. The fleeting beauty of the blossoms, juxtaposed with the potential for consumption implied by the rabbit and fruit, hints at the transience of earthly pleasures. The overall effect is one of controlled elegance tinged with an underlying awareness of mortality.