Artwork
Still life with parrot and snipes
Still life with parrot and snipes is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelis Lelienbergh. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Lelienbergh’s oil painting, dated 1655, presents a modest still‑life composition that brings together a vividly colored parrot and two waterbirds. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s interest in detailed natural observation.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre of the scene a black‑and‑white parrot with a striking red tail hangs inverted from a simple hook, while two brown‑and‑white snipes rest on a low table. The juxtaposition of exotic and familiar fauna invites contemplation of the diversity of the natural world and the collector’s curiosity about distant species.
Technique & Style
Lelienbergh employs oil on canvas with a pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to model the birds and illuminate their plumage. The careful rendering of feather texture and the subtle gradations of light create a three‑dimensional presence, while the restrained palette maintains a calm, contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The painting was executed in 1655 and has remained in the Netherlands, eventually entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. Its provenance reflects the typical trajectory of Dutch 17th‑century still‑lifes, moving from private collections to public institutions where it serves as an example of period genre work.
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