Hunting Trophy with Mallard Duck – Italy very early 18th century

Hunting Trophy with Mallard Duck – Circle of Baldassarre de Caro (Naples, 1689–1750)
Italy, second half of the 17th century – very early 18th century
Oil on canvas, relined
Dimensions without frame: H 47 cm x W 35 cm
Dimensions with frame: H 54 cm x W 43 cm

This still life depicts a hunting trophy composed of game birds.
In the foreground, resting on a wooden surface, lies a male mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), identifiable by its iridescent green head, white neck ring, and deep chestnut breast. In the shadowy background, other birds, including a woodcock and a quail, hang suspended.
The contrast between the dark background and the focused light on the mallard creates a dramatic Baroque effect, emphasizing the spatial construction and visual presence of the subject.

The hunting trophy genre became widespread in Italy during the 17th century, developing distinctive regional characteristics. In Naples, painters such as Baldassarre de Caro favored theatrical compositions with intense lighting and dramatic atmosphere. In contrast, northern Italian artists often used a denser brushwork and lighter tones, with less somber settings.

This work shares stylistic and compositional elements with the circle of Baldassarre de Caro, particularly in the arrangement of the birds, the rendering of feathers, and the controlled use of light and shadow. Its overall execution and evocative ambiance point to a Neapolitan origin in the late 17th century.

The canvas has been relined and is in good condition. Painted wooden frame.