Hoenderhof met een pauw en twee kalkoenen 1650 - 1719

Jan Weenix made this drawing of a courtyard scene featuring fowl with pen and brush in grey ink and grey wash. Drawings like these offer us an insight into the social values of the Dutch Golden Age. The presence of peacocks and turkeys - luxury items recently imported from abroad - is interesting. As is the setting. A seemingly overgrown, Italianate garden setting. Exotic animals and classical settings speak to the wealth and international connections of the Dutch merchant class during this period. Consider how Weenix creates meaning here. Is this a straightforward attempt at realism? Or is it a carefully constructed composition designed to convey a particular message about status and wealth? By researching the history of Dutch trade, garden design, and the social status of different animals, we can better understand this drawing as a product of its time, reflecting the values and aspirations of a wealthy, cosmopolitan society.