A portrait of two chickens and a hare - David De Coninck (c. 1644 - 1701)

A portrait of two chickens and a hare
Oil on canvas
We’d like to thank dr. Fred Meijer for his advice.
Dimensions: 71 x 60 cm, 85 x 73 cm (framed

THE ARTWORK
This work exemplifies David de Coninck’s ability to render detailed and lively depictions of animals in naturalistic settings. The scene features two chickens and a hare set against a wooded landscape. The central chicken, with its striking plumage and proud stance, is painted in meticulous detail, showcasing the artist’s talent for texture and light. The second chicken, pecking at the ground, adds movement to the composition, while the hare, nestled among foliage, balances the scene with a sense of calm. The warm, earthy tones of the background harmonize with the detailed rendering of the animals, creating a scene that is both dynamic and serene.
This painting reflects the broader Flemish Baroque tradition of animal and still-life painting. Such works often celebrated the abundance of nature and wealth, particularly through their intricate details and rich compositions. De Coninck’s inclusion of the hare and chickens also hints at themes of rural life and the interconnectedness of humans and nature. His compositions often contained symbolic undertones, yet their primary appeal lay in their technical virtuosity and lifelike qualities.


THE ARTIST
David de Coninck (also spelled Koninck) was a prominent Flemish painter active during the late 17th century. Born around 1644 in Antwerp, he studied under Pieter Boel, who was himself a pupil of Jan Fyt, a leading Flemish animal painter of the mid-17th century. This lineage is evident in de Coninck’s style, which reflects the influence of Fyt’s dynamic compositions and meticulous attention to detail. De Coninck’s works were often mistaken for those of his mentors and contemporaries due to their high quality and stylistic similarities.
De Coninck’s career was marked by international success. He worked in Paris, Rome, and Vienna, which allowed him to develop a distinctive style that blended Flemish traditions with Italianate influences. His oeuvre includes fruit and flower still lifes, hunting scenes, and dynamic animal paintings. Many of his works are characterized by dramatic action, such as scenes of predatory animals attacking their prey, but he also excelled in quieter compositions like the present painting.
Despite his widespread influence and acclaim, de Coninck’s works are often difficult to date precisely due to a lack of consistent documentation. His paintings had a significant impact on Italian artists such as Baldassare De Caro and Giovanni Crivelli, as well as on other European painters like Franz Werner von Tamm. De Coninck’s career likely ended in Brussels, where he is believed to have died after 1701.