Kippen en haan bij een kippenhok c. 1640 - 1650

This 17th-century engraving, "Chickens and Rooster by a Chicken Coop," presents a barnyard scene filled with symbolic depth. Note the rooster, strutting amidst the hens; a potent symbol of virility, but also of vigilance. The image recalls classical antiquity, where roosters were dedicated to gods like Apollo and Mars, embodying both solar energy and martial prowess. Yet, observe how the meaning shifts. Here, within a domestic sphere, the rooster's pride takes on a more nuanced tone, perhaps a caution against excessive vanity. Consider how such imagery persists across time. The rooster’s crow, a universal announcement of dawn, echoes through centuries of art, literature, and folklore. This symbol resonates deeply within our collective psyche. The motif serves as a reminder of nature’s cycles and the enduring power of primal instincts, engaging viewers on a visceral, subconscious level. Thus, the rooster, once a sacred emblem, evolves into a multifaceted symbol, reflecting humanity's changing relationship with nature and self-perception.