In this 1681 painting, Hondecoeter displays his talent as an animal painter with dazzling virtuosity. The peacock, a majestic central figure, stands proudly on a white marble ledge, its shimmering plumage captured with near-scientific precision.
The iridescent reflections of its feathers, oscillating between emerald green and deep blue, demonstrate exceptional technical mastery. The composition is enriched by the delicate presence of a pink rose, sunflowers in the background, and birds in flight that animate the twilight sky. The female peacock, depicted in a more modest pose, creates a striking contrast with the splendor of her mate. The artist infuses this scene with baroque theatricality while maintaining meticulous naturalistic observation.
Additional Information
- Title: Peacocks, Male and Female
- Artist: Melchior de Hondecoeter (1636-1695)
- Date: 1681
- Dimensions: 113 × 134 cm
- Location: Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-arts de la Ville de Paris, Ground Floor, Room 29
- https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/petit-palais/oeuvres/paons-male-et-femelle
Melchior de Hondecoeter (1636-1695), undisputed master of animal painting in the Dutch Golden Age, studied under his uncle Jan-Baptist Weenix among others. He distinguished himself through his exceptional ability to represent birds with astonishing realism. Born into a family of painters specializing in this genre, he elevated the art of the “Vogelschilder” (bird painter) to its pinnacle.
His reputation earned him numerous commissions from European aristocracy, particularly for decorating their aviaries and residences. His meticulous technique, combining scientific observation with a dramatic sense of staging, makes him one of the greatest animal painters of all time. He was even nicknamed the “Raphael of birds.”
