His artistic training began in 1593 under Pieter Bruegel the Younger before he moved to the studio of Hendrick van Balen. Snyders developed a style that moved away from the narrative traditions of his teachers toward a more direct observation of nature. His compositions often feature market stalls with venison and fish, or scenes of exotic animals in combat. In works like Two Monkeys Stealing Fruit from a Basket, he captured the chaotic energy of animals with a level of detail that appealed to the scientific interests of the 17th century.

Modern collectors find value in the way Snyders documented the material culture of his time. His large-scale kitchen and market scenes provide a record of historical food preparation and trade in the Spanish Netherlands. These works offer a sense of abundance and physical presence that remains effective in contemporary interiors. By focusing on the textures of fur and feathers, Snyders created images that prioritise the physical world over allegorical complexity.