Scarecrow and Birds 

Jean David’s painting *Scarecrow and Birds* is made with oil and pastel, unassuming materials deftly used to create an allegorical image. The pastel brings a slightly chalky, matte quality to the surface, contrasting with the sheen of the oil paint. The materiality of this picture is vital to its impact. Look at the rough application of the paint, particularly in the scarecrow’s face. The texture is built up with visible brushstrokes, creating a sense of volume and presence. The same goes for the birds, their feathers suggested with short, rapid flicks of color. This approach isn’t about illusionism or refinement. Instead, David seems to embrace the inherent qualities of the materials, creating a sense of immediacy. The painting also speaks to the wider context of labor and rural life. Scarecrows are, after all, symbols of agricultural work, designed to protect crops from predators. But here, the scarecrow seems ineffective, almost passive, as the birds perch freely on its arms. It prompts us to consider the relationship between labor, nature, and perhaps even the futility of trying to control the natural world. Appreciating the materials, the making, and the context is essential to understanding this work.