Kippen, een haan en een pauw 1667 - 1718

Jan Griffier’s etching presents us with barnyard fowl, each laden with symbolic weight. The proud peacock, perched atop the scene, has long been associated with vanity, beauty, and, paradoxically, immortality. Observe how the artist has placed the peacock. It reminds me of its earlier representations in Roman art, displayed as Juno’s attribute, the goddess of marriage and queen of the gods. Its transformation over time is fascinating: from a symbol of imperial power to a Christian emblem of resurrection. In contrast, the rooster, scratching at the earth, evokes vigilance and virility, its image intertwined with solar deities across cultures, from ancient Persia to Rome. Yet, it also bears the mark of human fallibility. Think of the rooster crowing after Peter's denial of Christ, an emotional and psychological motif that stirs deep within our collective memory. These barnyard creatures are not merely birds, but rather, potent carriers of cultural memory. The symbolism of the birds shifts and resurfaces, a testament to how cultural symbols evolve through time.