GALLERIA DEI LAVORI, FLORENCE, CIRCA 1650

The present scene of birds perched on the stalks of fruit is reminiscent of certain paintings of the 15th and early 16th century, which depict birds shown on a stone ledge in front of the Virgin and Child. The disproportion between the birds and fruit is similar to that of Galleria dei Lavori tabletops from around 1600, such as one depicting interlacing dolphins in the Galerie de Minéralogie et de Géologie, Paris, which has an enormous quince, very similar to that in the present plaque. It is notable to see the great care taken in the sample of stones, such as that which perfectly renders the appearance of an overripe pear.