Two Dead Kestrels 1909

Jan Mankes painted these two dead kestrels with oil on canvas, creating a study in stillness. The muted palette, dominated by grays and browns, speaks to a quiet observation of nature, but also a focus on the process. Looking closely, you can see how Mankes built up the layers, almost as if he were feeling the texture of the feathers as he painted them. The way he renders their claws, for instance – sharp and yellow against the soft plumage – tells us something about life and death. The painting feels like a meditation, a personal contemplation. This piece reminds me a bit of some of Brancusi’s sculptures – there’s a similar sense of reduction and distillation, but with a painterly touch. Mankes seems less interested in drama and more in quietude, allowing the viewer space to reflect. It's a space where ambiguity thrives.