The Marsh Harrier in the Poultry-Yard

Melchior Weenix, who trained with his father Gysbert Gillisz. and his uncle Jan Baptist Weenix, gained a reputation in 17th century Holland as a painter of birds. He enlivened many of his paintings with a dramatic conflict between birds or, as in this work, with a bird of prey invading a poultry yard. With outspread wings, the marsh-harrier forces to the ground the cock it is attacking. The other birds are in commotion; one chicken has fallen over. A pigeon and a duck are taking flight. The splendid colours of the feathers and the subordination of the landscape to the action are typical of the artist’s work. Half of the background is covered with plants, trees, fence and building.

DUCKE Astrid: Melchior de Hondecoeter, The Marsh Harrier in the Poultry-Yard, object description for the exhibition "Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg" (23.2.-3.7.2022)