Artwork
Poultry
Poultry is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Charles Jacque. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute. Created in 1857, this oil on canvas presents a quiet barn interior where a cluster of chickens gathers around a feeding trough.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1857, this oil on canvas presents a quiet barn interior where a cluster of chickens gathers around a feeding trough. A solitary rooster occupies the central position, while the dim illumination from a distant window casts soft shadows across the scene, emphasizing the subdued atmosphere of the rural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of everyday farm life, focusing on domestic poultry rather than grand narratives. By portraying the birds in a natural, unembellished manner, the painting reflects a respect for the simple rhythms of agricultural labor and the quiet dignity of commonplace subjects.
Technique & Style
Executed with meticulous attention to texture, the artist renders the feathers and wooden structures with fine brushwork. A restrained palette of browns and grays reinforces the muted light, while subtle contrasts between light and shadow create a modest chiaroscuro that enhances the three‑dimensionality of the figures.
History & Provenance
The piece was painted by Charles‑Émile Jacque, a French artist who transitioned from military map engraving to genre painting. Aligning with the Barbizon School, he joined peers such as Jean‑François Millet in emphasizing naturalistic depictions of rural life, a focus that defined much of his mid‑nineteenth‑century output.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles-Émile Jacque (23 May 1813 – 7 May 1894) was a French painter of Pastoralism and engraver who was, with Jean-François Millet, part of the Barbizon School. He first learned to engrave maps when he spent seven years in the French Army.
