In the dim lighting of this Dutch interior, all hues are muted. A small stream of wintry light filters in, highlighting an abundance of turnips, icicle radishes, squash, leafy greens, and game birds. Many members of the burgeoning Dutch middle class acquired still lifes such as this one, in which dead game and a basket overflowing with vegetables convey not only a sense of abundance but also the spirit of its owners’ prosperity. Hunting required access to land and was a sign of Dutch aristocratic country life. Although the background is dark and brooding, the drama is softened by the promise of a hearty meal.