Les dindons 1850 - 1855

Félix Ziem rendered "Les Dindons" with the same quick strokes he usually reserved for Venetian seascapes. This seemingly simple barnyard scene, however, carries a surprising weight of cultural memory. Here, we observe the turkey—a bird of the Americas—an exotic creature for European eyes in the 19th century. But consider, the turkey is a symbol of abundance, a feast. This echoes the cornucopia, the horn of plenty from classical antiquity, filled with fruits and grains, representing nature's bounty. Now, imagine this symbol traversing time and space. In ancient Greece, the cornucopia was linked to fertility rituals. Fast forward to Ziem’s time, the turkey graces tables during festive celebrations. The underlying emotional current remains—an expression of gratitude and fulfillment, a subconscious echo of ancient rites. The image engages us on a deep, primal level, stirring feelings of satisfaction and contentment. This cultural evolution reminds us of the non-linear path of symbols.