Hens, Ducks and a Turkey Cock 1614 - 1652

Adriaen van Utrecht painted 'Hens, Ducks and a Turkey Cock' in the first half of the seventeenth century, a period of great social and economic change in the Netherlands. The image is a barnyard scene, but it's also a display of wealth and status. In the Dutch Golden Age, what you owned reflected who you were, and paintings of food became increasingly popular. Van Utrecht's detailed rendering of these fowl isn't just about capturing their likeness; it's about celebrating the abundance and prosperity of the era. The turkey, a relatively new import from the Americas, would have been particularly exotic and valuable. To understand this painting fully, we delve into the economic history of the Dutch Republic, its global trade networks, and the rise of a wealthy merchant class that fueled the demand for such lavish displays. By studying these historical contexts, we can appreciate how 'Hens, Ducks and a Turkey Cock' reflects the social values and aspirations of its time.