A Market Scene 1613 - 1681

Daniel Vertangen painted this market scene on canvas at an unknown date, capturing a vivid tableau of daily life. Dominating this scene is the motif of fowl: live chickens caged, plucked birds displayed on the stall, even clutched possessively by a young boy. Such imagery carries complex connotations. On one level, they are merely merchandise, sustenance. Yet, consider the ancient symbol of the chicken—its associations with fertility, renewal, and even sacrifice. Across cultures and centuries, this symbol mutates. In ancient Greece, chickens were offered to deities; in folklore, they predict the weather. Here, the artist taps into this deep reservoir of collective memory. The presence of death is palpable, yet it coexists with the promise of life, echoing our subconscious understanding of mortality. It's a powerful image, engaging us on a level that transcends mere representation, inviting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of existence.