Artwork
Poultry
Poultry is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Charles-Émile Jacque. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute. Created in 1857, this oil on canvas presents a quiet barn interior where a cluster of chickens gathers around a feeding trough.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1857, this oil on canvas presents a quiet barn interior where a cluster of chickens gathers around a feeding trough. A solitary rooster occupies the central position, while the dim illumination from a distant window casts soft shadows across the scene, emphasizing the subdued atmosphere of the rural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of everyday farm life, focusing on domestic poultry rather than grand narratives. By portraying the birds in a natural, unembellished manner, the painting reflects a respect for the simple rhythms of agricultural labor and the quiet dignity of commonplace subjects.
Technique & Style
Executed with meticulous attention to texture, the artist renders the feathers and wooden structures with fine brushwork. A restrained palette of browns and grays reinforces the muted light, while subtle contrasts between light and shadow create a modest chiaroscuro that enhances the three‑dimensionality of the figures.
History & Provenance
The piece was painted by Charles‑Émile Jacque, a French artist who transitioned from military map engraving to genre painting. Aligning with the Barbizon School, he joined peers such as Jean‑François Millet in emphasizing naturalistic depictions of rural life, a focus that defined much of his mid‑nineteenth‑century output.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Charles-Émile Jacque (23 May 1813 – 7 May 1894) was a French painter of Pastoralism and engraver who was, with Jean-François Millet, part of the Barbizon School. He first learned to engrave maps when he spent seven years in the French Army.
