Kraaiende haan met kippen in een hok 1872

Jan Gerard Smits was a Dutch artist who created a wide range of artwork, including this etching titled *Kraaiende haan met kippen in een hok* ("Crowing Rooster with Chickens in a Coop") from 1872. The etching portrays a rooster and a hen in a coop, with two chickens perched on the fence in the background. Smits used a detailed and realistic style with strong lines to create a sense of depth and texture. The work is a study of animal life, with the artist emphasizing the natural beauty and movement of the subjects, demonstrating the artist's talent for capturing animal expression. The small size of the etching suggests it was intended as a personal study or a private piece, perhaps part of a larger collection.