Peacocks, male and female, in 1681 (oil on canvas)

Peacocks, male and female (Main title) Hondecoeter, Melchior de On a white marble ledge, a "Pavo cristatus" ("blue peacock") brays. Melchior de Hondecoeter quickly made a name for himself as a specialist in animal painting, and more specifically in the "Vogelschilder" genre, the depiction of birds. In this case, the peacock is one of Hondecoeter's favorite motifs, as its plumage was admired by all, and it exudes a certain pride, capable of flattering the taste of the painter's more or less prestigious patrons. Signature and date - Bottom center: "M D Hondecoeter A 1681". Inventory number: PPP2522