1636 -1695 · Utrecht, The Hague and Amsterdam

Sumptuous beaches, backyard fights and exotic birds make Melchior d'Hondecoeter the great animal director of the Golden Age.

Melchior d'Hondecoeter was born in Utrecht in 1636 and died in Amsterdam in 1695. He belongs to a dynasty of animal painters: his grandfather Gillis and his father Gijsbert represent landscapes, poultry and birds. After the latter's death, Melchior probably continued his training with his uncle Jan Baptist Weenix, whose sense of monumental composition and materials he retained. Active in The Hague then settled in Amsterdam around 1663, he specialized almost entirely in birds. Active in The Hague then settled in Amsterdam around 1663, he specialized almost entirely in birds. Active in The Hague then settled in Amsterdam around 1663, he specialized almost entirely in birds. Active in The Hague then settled in Amsterdam around 1663, he specialized almost entirely in birds. Active in The Hague then settled in Amsterdam around 1663, he specialized almost entirely in birds. Turkeys, peacocks, roosters, ducks, pelicans, cranes and exotic species occupy aristocratic parks, balustrades or farmyards like the characters in a history painting. D'Hondecoeter precisely observes beaks, legs and plumages, carries out oil studies, then reuses certain animals in several compositions. The Rijksmuseum shows how his chick studies could serve as a workshop repertoire. Combat Roosters transforms animal confrontation into drama of gestures and diagonals. The Black Turkey Farm Scene and The Farmyard organize a complex hierarchy of looks, colors and attitudes. The Black Turkey Farm Scene and The Farmyard organize a complex hierarchy of looks, colors and attitudes. Rabbits, roosters and chickens against a backdrop of landscape mixing domestic observation and ample natural decor. His large canvases are sought after by Dutch elites and designed for residences or pleasure pavilions. Without naively humanizing them animals, it gives them a theatrical presence, tension and individuality. The "Melchior d’Hondecoeter" selection notably compares Combat Roosters and Rabbits, a rooster and a hen against a landscape background. His reading favors light.

Melchior d'Hondecoeter paints the farmyard like a court scene: each plumage asserts a rank, each look prepares an alliance or a fight.