Still life with monkey and flowers

An abundant bouquet of striped tulips, red roses, white peonies and blue morning glories fills a carved stone urn set in a dark arched recess. Beside it a small monkey clutches a piece of fruit amid grapes, two pears and a basket of berries on a marble ledge, with a large monstera leaf and red cloth at the base.

A nearly black backdrop throws the whites, reds and golden ochres of the flowers into sharp relief, with fine, polished brushwork describing petals, fur and fruit skins. The watchful monkey among the fruit adds quiet narrative tension to the otherwise formal, classically composed bouquet.