Snyders, Frans

Snyders, Frans (fräns snī`dərs), 1579–1657, most celebrated Flemish still-life and animal painter, b. Antwerp. He studied with Bruegel, the younger, and Hendrik van Balen but was principally influenced by Rubens. Snyders often collaborated with Rubens and Jordaens, sometimes painting the animals in their pictures, while they in turn did figures for some of his paintings of the hunt. The early work of Snyders was largely still life, but he is best known for his spirited animal compositions, primarily hunting scenes and struggles between wild animals. He painted many works for Philip IV of Spain, a number of which are in the Prado. His paintings are fresh and luminous in color and strong in composition. His best-known works include Stag Hunt (The Hague); Hippopotamus Hunt (Rijks Mus.); Lioness Attacking a Boar; Dogs in the Kitchen (Louvre); Lions Chasing a Deer (Metropolitan Mus.); and Boar Hunt (Mus. of Fine Arts, Boston).