Kippen op een boerderij in New England before 1890

This photograph, titled "Kippen op een boerderij in New England," presents us with a seemingly simple farmyard scene. However, the anonymous photographer’s formal choices invite deeper consideration. The tight composition and stark contrast between light and shadow immediately draw the eye. Notice how the repetitive lines of the wooden planks in the background create a sense of depth, but also confine the chickens within a structured space. The chickens themselves, dark silhouettes against the snowy ground, are arranged almost as formal elements, their placement guiding our gaze. The use of black and white further abstracts the scene, emphasizing form over realistic color. This technique allows us to contemplate the deeper symbolic and philosophical implications of the artwork, suggesting ideas around freedom and confinement. The formal arrangement destabilizes the expected chaos of a farmyard and prompts us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world.