June 30, 1678

We learn about the Flemish painter, Paul de Vos (1590s to June 30, 1678) that he

..... was a talented follower and friend of Frans Snyders, ...[and] married ...[Snyder's] sister, Margaretha. Paul named one of his sons Frans, and left his brother-in-law a painting by Rubens in his will. He became master in the Guild of St Luke in 1620, and went on to work with both Van Dyck and Rubens. Paul painted large-scale hunting or animal scenes as well as still lives. These were in demand in high circles, including Philip II of Spain and Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor.


Here are several examples of the art of Paul de Vos:



















As was the reality of feline life in this era, the cats are in the shadows. Amidst the culinary plenty, arrayed to show the wealth of the household, the cats have more to worry about than mice. The artist's use of color is a bit odd. But he does the brave thing trying to catch the animals in the middle of moving. He might have a higher reputation today, but the taste for fighting animals and raw meat is not so prominent in our time.