Balthasar van der Ast - Basket of Fruits - WGA1038

Contrary to the typically, Italian and French fruit still-lifes in the 17th century the Dutch, were still in the tradition of "disguised symbolism" (Erwin Panofsky). The vanitas theme is emphasized by the presence of bruises, bad spots and wormholes, as well as insects such as butterflies, dragonflies and house flies, as well as a lizard which is nibbling at one of the apples outside the basket. Grapes often has a christological reference. In the context of Virgin Mary, apples symbolize redemption and victory over sin, whereas insects and lizards were often associated with the evil. This harmless everyday motif suddenly turns into a scene - on a smaller scale - of good versus evil in the history of salvation.