Artwork
Peacocks
Peacocks is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Melchior d' Hondecoeter. It dates from 1692 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The inclusion of the monkey and squirrel alongside the stately peafowl creates a dynamic scene of natural observation rather than a purely symbolic allegory.
Melchior d'Hondecoeter's 1692 painting, titled Peacocks, presents a complex avian assembly within a landscape setting. The composition explicitly depicts peafowl alongside a monkey, a domesticated turkey, and a squirrel, integrated with fruit elements that suggest a still-life arrangement. While the work is categorized as a landscape painting, its subject matter focuses on the interaction of these varied creatures, ranging from exotic peacocks to common farm animals.
The inclusion of the monkey and squirrel alongside the stately peafowl creates a dynamic scene of natural observation rather than a purely symbolic allegory. The presence of fruit further enriches the visual narrative, grounding the exotic birds in a tangible, earthly environment. This juxtaposition of species highlights the artist's interest in the diversity of the natural world during the late seventeenth century.
History & Provenance
Melchior d'Hondecoeter created the oil-on-canvas painting Peacocks in 1692. The work, measuring 190.2 by 134.6 centimeters, depicts a landscape populated by peafowl, a monkey, a domesticated turkey, a squirrel, and fruit. The painting was owned by Samuel Henry Kress before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, as part of the Samuel H. Kress Collection.
The specific commission details and the full chain of ownership between its creation and its acquisition by Kress are not detailed in the available records. Its inventory or accession number is not specified in the provided sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Overview
The oil painting titled "Peacocks" presents a detailed natural scene populated by a variety of animals. At its center, a peacock displays its fully fanned tail feathers while perched on a ledge. The composition also includes a monkey, a squirrel, a crane, a bird of prey, and a snake, all rendered with careful attention to their individual characteristics and the surrounding environment.
Technique & Style
The artist employed oil paint to achieve a high degree of realism, particularly evident in the depiction of animal textures. Close observation of how light interacts with feathers and fur contributes to their lifelike appearance. The intricate "eyes" meticulously painted on the peacock's tail feathers highlight the artist's technical skill and precision, likely achieved through careful layering of paint.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Melchior d'Hondecoeter (Dutch pronunciation:; c. 1636 – 3 April 1695), Dutch animalier painter, was born in Utrecht and died in Amsterdam. After the start of his career, he painted virtually exclusively bird subjects,…
