This painting depicts a lively still life, blending naturalistic observation with an anecdotal scene. The composition is centred on a mantelpiece upon which fruit, vegetables and precious objects are arranged, whilst several monkeys disrupt this orderly arrangement.
In the centre, a monkey sits on the table and grabs a piece of fruit, actively contributing to the chaos. Behind him lie, among other things, a large, halved melon, peaches and artichokes, arranged in abundance. In the foreground, an overturned porcelain bowl spills out a profusion of small strawberries, emphasising the sense of movement and imbalance. One also notices bunches of grapes, cut fruit and scattered leaves, which reinforce the impression of a still life that has suddenly come to life.
On the right, a second monkey appears partially, looking surprised or intrigued, introducing a narrative and almost humorous dimension. The dark background strongly highlights the warm colours of the fruit—reds, oranges and yellows—as well as the muted greens of the foliage, creating a contrast typical of Nordic still-life painting.