Gezicht op een toom brahma kippen in een ren 1887 - 1907

This photograph, found within the pages of an old book, shows Brahma chickens in a run. The chickens, symbols of domesticity and rural life, are arranged somewhat uniformly, almost reminiscent of figures in a frieze. The chicken motif carries a rich, albeit paradoxical, history. While often associated with simple farm life, the image of a chicken can be traced back to ancient symbols of fertility and vigilance. Across cultures, the chicken, and especially the rooster, has signified rebirth and the start of a new day. Yet, here they are confined, domesticated, perhaps losing some primeval essence. Consider how the repetitive, almost ritualistic arrangement of these fowl speaks to subconscious desires for order and control. The photograph then becomes a canvas reflecting our internal struggle with the wild and the tame. This potent image engages us on a deeper level, inviting a meditation on the cyclical interplay between nature and civilization. The chicken, caught in this loop, resurfaces time and again, its symbolism perpetually shaped by the prevailing winds of history.