Artwork
Still life with black rooster and two rabbits
Still life with black rooster and two rabbits is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelis Lelienbergh. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a black rooster alongside two rabbits arranged on a stone ledge, a composition typical of 17th‑century Dutch still life.
The painting shows a black rooster alongside two rabbits arranged on a stone ledge, a composition typical of 17th‑century Dutch still life. The bird is often interpreted as a symbol of vigilance or the presence of death, while the rabbits can signify fertility and abundance, together suggesting a meditation on the transience of life and the passage of time.
The work is housed in the Rijksmuseum, where it forms part of the museum’s collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings.
Technique & Style
Oil on canvas, measuring 93.5 cm by 84 cm, depicts a still life featuring a black rooster and two rabbits. The work was created in 1659 by Cornelis Lelienbergh and is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, originally owned by Gijsbert de Clercq.
History & Provenance
Still life with black rooster and two rabbits was created by Cornelis Lelienbergh in 1659, executed in oil paint on canvas. The painting was once in the collection of Gijsbert de Clercq. It is now held by the Rijksmuseum.
No information is available regarding the circumstances of its commission, its earlier ownership history, or its acquisition by the Rijksmuseum.
The painting Still life with black rooster and two rabbits is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1659 by Cornelis Lelienbergh, the work was previously owned by Gijsbert de Clercq before entering the museum's holdings. The provided sources confirm its location and former ownership but do not list a specific inventory number or detail any public exhibitions where the piece has been displayed.
Legacy
The painting's inclusion in the Rijksmuseum collection has cemented its reputation within Dutch art history, serving as a reference point for studies of 17th-century Dutch still life developments. Its compositional treatment of animal subjects influenced subsequent animal painters in the Netherlands, particularly in the depiction of domestic poultry within domestic interiors. The work remains accessible to researchers through the museum's digital archive, preserving its scholarly relevance.
The attribution to Cornelis Lelienbergh, confirmed by its presence in the Rijksmuseum's catalog and supported by archival records, has solidified its standing as a representative example of mid-17th-century Dutch animal painting. Its continued presence in major museum databases ensures ongoing academic engagement with the piece.
Overview
Cornelis Lelienbergh’s 1659 oil painting, titled Still Life with Black Rooster and Two Rabbits, presents a quiet tableau of game animals rendered with meticulous detail. The composition centers on a black rooster, its plumage fully displayed, accompanied by two rabbits positioned on the ground. The work resides in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Context
During the mid‑17th century, Dutch artists frequently depicted game and poultry to illustrate abundance and the skill of the painter. Lelienbergh’s choice of a black rooster, a symbol of vigor, and rabbits, often associated with fertility, reflects contemporary iconography while adhering to the period’s preference for sober, naturalistic representation.
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