Haan en hen 1667 - 1718

Jan Griffier created this print, "Haan en hen" (Rooster and Hen), sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It depicts a domestic scene of fowl, a rooster standing proudly behind a hen nesting on a basket, while chicks peck at the ground nearby. Griffier, living in a time of burgeoning natural science, captures a slice of life that reflects the broader cultural interest in the natural world. But what does it mean to portray domesticity through the lens of animals? Consider the symbolism inherent in these creatures: the rooster, often a symbol of virility and pride, and the hen, embodying nurturing and domesticity. This image participates in long-standing gendered associations. The print subtly reinforces traditional roles, yet there’s also an undeniable tenderness in the depiction of familial care. It invites us to consider the parallels between human and animal behavior, and to question the values we project onto both.