Studies van zes levende kippen en een dode kip 1865 - 1878

Jules Laurens created this study of six living chickens and one dead chicken in the 19th century. During this era, the burgeoning field of natural history saw artists contributing to scientific understanding through detailed studies of the natural world. Laurens’ work is more than a simple illustration; it's a quiet reflection on the cycle of life and death. The artist is reminding us of the often-overlooked lives of these creatures, inviting us to consider our relationship with the animals that sustain us. The contrast is stark, a reminder of our selective empathy. Why do we mourn some deaths and consume others without a second thought? This piece invites us to ponder our place in this cycle, urging a more compassionate and thoughtful approach to the life around us.