Haan met vijf kippen 1816 - 1881

Editor: This etching, “Haan met vijf kippen,” by Albertus Verhoesen, probably made sometime between 1816 and 1881, has such a wonderfully bucolic feel. The rooster, especially, seems almost regal amidst the chickens. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: It’s interesting to consider how representations of animals, especially within genre scenes like this one, reflect broader societal structures. What do we see in the rooster’s proud stance relative to the hens? Could it be a comment on the prevailing patriarchal structure of 19th-century Dutch society, where the male figure is positioned as the dominant protector? Editor: That's a fascinating take! I hadn’t considered that. I just saw it as a simple farm scene, you know, nature. But thinking about it in terms of gender and power makes it much more complex. Curator: Exactly! The setting, the relationships, the poses—everything becomes a potential site of meaning. The realism here isn’t just about accurately depicting chickens; it’s about depicting a social dynamic. We have to ask what societal assumptions are being reinforced, or perhaps even subtly critiqued, through this seemingly innocuous scene. What happens to our view of it if we replace chickens with other people and ask if it normalizes social power imbalances? Editor: That gives me so much to think about! I'll definitely look at similar works differently from now on. Thanks for widening my perspective. Curator: My pleasure. Art provides an extraordinary insight when viewed through the lens of culture and history. This understanding encourages questioning everything that is seen and thought of.