This painting is one out of two still lifes which are titled "St. Nicolaas stilleven" (For a study for the other one, see lot no. 190). The title derives from a Droste chocolate poster by the famous French poster designer Cassandre (1901-1968), whose posters Ket used as an important feature in the compositions of his paintings. Ket was a great admirer of Cassandre's work and it was through his posters that he got acquainted with certain style principles of Cubism. The small wooden horse in front of the poster is used several times by the artist. Ket identified himself with this marionette toy, as a "Ket" means horse in West Frisian dialect. Dick Ket loved playing upon words in images and in letters. The book in the centre of the picture about "Vlaamse Primitieven" refers to his great admiration for these painters and their meticulous style of painting.

See colour illustration