Dead Game 1679 - 1750

Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton's "Dead Game" presents a somber still life dominated by muted tones. The composition centers on a hanging hare, its form elongated and lifeless, suspended against a dark, undefined background. This central image is counterpointed by the presence of fowl laid out on a stone surface, adding a textural contrast with their feathered bodies. The painting employs a dramatic use of chiaroscuro, with stark contrasts between light and shadow that enhance the three-dimensionality of the subjects. This artistic technique draws the eye to the textures of fur and feathers, emphasizing their tactile qualities. Structurally, the arrangement evokes a sense of Baroque theatricality, drawing on a tradition where the display of game served both as a demonstration of artistic skill and a commentary on nature and mortality. This interplay between naturalistic detail and symbolic representation challenges fixed notions of the still life as a purely decorative genre. The artwork, with its formal attention to texture and shadow, invites an ongoing dialogue about the nature of representation and the symbolic weight of everyday objects.