La poule blanche 1670

Here we see a painting by Melchior d'Hondecoeter, titled 'La poule blanche', whose date remains unknown. Hondecoeter lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of immense wealth driven by global trade and colonialism. This painting, like many of Hondecoeter’s works, offers a glimpse into the Dutch fascination with the exotic. The gathering of various bird species—from the familiar chicken to the majestic peacock—reflects the era’s obsession with collecting and displaying rarities as symbols of status and power. The white hen at the center isn't merely a barnyard animal, but rather an aesthetic object, carefully placed to evoke ideas of domesticity and order. Meanwhile, the peacock in the background hints at an outside world of global trade. Yet, under the surface of aesthetic appreciation lies the brutal realities of colonialism and exploitation. It is worth considering how the concept of ownership and control extends from the canvas to the broader world. It reminds us to reflect on how these historical dynamics continue to shape our contemporary world.