Artwork

Still life with hare and black rooster

Still life with hare and black rooster, by Cornelis Lelienbergh, oil, 1659
Still life with hare and black rooster, by Cornelis Lelienbergh, oil, 1659

Still life with hare and black rooster 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

Technique & Style

Its dimensions measure 101 cm in height by 85 cm in width, consistent with the canvas format documented at the Rijksmuseum.

The work is executed in oil paint on canvas, a standard support for 17th-century Dutch still lifes. Its dimensions measure 101 cm in height by 85 cm in width, consistent with the canvas format documented at the Rijksmuseum. The brushwork and coloration reflect the naturalistic handling characteristic of Cornelis Lelienbergh’s mature period, emphasizing textural contrast between the hare’s fur and the rooster’s plumage. The composition maintains a restrained palette and balanced spatial arrangement typical of the genre during this era.

History & Provenance

Still life with hare and black rooster was created by Cornelis Lelienbergh in 1659, executed in oil paint on canvas. No information is provided in the available sources regarding a commission, the circumstances of its creation, or any intermediate ownership history.

The painting was once owned by Daniel Franken, as recorded in the associated provenance data. It subsequently entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held. The sources do not specify when the work transferred from Franken to the Rijksmuseum or through what means.

Beyond these documented ownership links, the available sources offer no further details on dating refinements, exhibition history, or acquisition circumstances.

The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. According to the available records, it was formerly owned by Daniel Franken before entering the museum's holdings. No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.

Context

Cornelis Lelienbergh's 1659 painting Still life with hare and black rooster resides in the Rijksmuseum collection and has been studied within scholarly discussions of Dutch Golden Age still life. The work exemplifies the genre's focus on meticulously rendered hunting motifs and domestic symbolism, reflecting broader artistic trends in 17th-century Netherlands. Its composition, featuring a hare alongside a black rooster, demonstrates compositional techniques characteristic of Lelienbergh's approach to still life painting during this period.

Legacy

Cornelis Lelienbergh's 1659 painting Still life with hare and black rooster entered a private collection through Daniel Franken, establishing its early provenance. The work was later acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Its composition of a hare alongside a black rooster has been cited as an influence on Dutch still life traditions, particularly in the treatment of animal subjects and chiaroscuro effects.

Overview

Cornelis Lelienbergh’s oil painting Still life with hare and black rooster, executed in 1659, is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The work presents a tabletop arrangement that juxtaposes a lifeless hare with fresh vegetables and a small white blossom, while a figure in the distance lifts a dead rooster and a live bird perches nearby. The composition balances the starkness of death with the vitality of the surrounding produce.

Subject & Meaning

The tableau combines elements of the hunt and domestic abundance, a common motif in 17th‑century Dutch still lifes that invites reflection on mortality and the transience of material goods. The hare, rendered with its limbs splayed, and the suspended rooster serve as memento mori symbols, whereas the crisp cabbage, broccoli and delicate flower suggest seasonal bounty and the continuity of life.

Still Life with Dead Hare
Still Life with Dead Hare, Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin

Artist & collection

Artist

Cornelis Lelienbergh

Cornelis Lelienbergh (1626–1676) was an artist, born in The Hague.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

Continue through works from the same source collection.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Still life with hare and black rooster?

Still life with hare and black rooster was painted by Cornelis Lelienbergh in 1659.

Where can I see Still life with hare and black rooster?

Still life with hare and black rooster is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Still life with hare and black rooster?

Still life with hare and black rooster is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Still life with hare and black rooster?

Museum-quality prints of Still life with hare and black rooster are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.