Dood wild, een aap, een hond en enige vogels 1650 - 1719

Jan Weenix created this watercolor and graphite drawing of dead game, a monkey, a dog and some birds during the Dutch Golden Age. Weenix specialized in hunting scenes and game pieces, reflecting the period's fascination with nature and its bounty, but also the social hierarchy that enabled such displays of wealth. This drawing presents a complex tableau. The dead animals, rendered with a delicate touch, evoke a sense of stillness and finality. The monkey, a symbol of exoticism and perhaps even colonial trade, sits amidst the spoils, hinting at the global reach of Dutch commerce. The presence of the dog and birds, animals with close ties to humans, draws attention to the intricate relationship between the human and animal worlds. In Weenix's composition, the artist seems to explore the themes of life and death, domesticity and wildness. The drawing reflects the cultural values and societal structures of the time, while inviting us to contemplate our own place within the natural order.