Two plates of oysters appear beside two smoked herrings, laid on the table. Together with some bread and a glass of white wine, it promises to be a delicious meal. Various smoking attributes are also shown on the table: a clay pipe, a coal pan with burning embers and a bundle of matchsticks for lighting. The combination of fish, oysters and tobacco may seem illogical, but it gave Floris van Schooten an opportunity to paint a variety of textures. Which buyers greatly appreciated.