Artwork
Enten und Hühner
Enten und Hühner is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Franz Werner Tamm. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1700 by Franz Werner Tamm, this oil painting portrays a small assemblage of birds gathered beside a tree and a body of water. The composition includes a chicken, a duck, and additional avian figures in varied stances, set against a backdrop of foliage and a cloudy sky. The work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The central focus rests on a domestic chicken and a duck, rendered in a naturalistic setting that suggests everyday rural life. Their differing postures—some perched, others standing, and one in mid‑flight—convey a moment of quiet activity, inviting viewers to observe the simple dynamics of a farmyard scene.
Technique & Style
Tamm employs a muted palette of browns, greys and whites, allowing the forms to emerge with subtle tonal variation. Visible brushwork adds texture to feathers and foliage, while the handling of light creates a sense of atmospheric depth. The composition’s diagonal lines and the implied motion of the flying bird contribute to an overall feeling of kinetic energy.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Baroque collection. Its attribution to Tamm, a German painter active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, is supported by stylistic analysis and documented inventory records from the early 19th century.
Context
Produced during the transition from the Baroque to the Rococo period in German art, the work reflects contemporary interest in genre scenes that depict ordinary subjects with careful observation. Tamm’s attention to detail and his modest, domestic subject matter align with the period’s broader shift toward intimate, everyday narratives.
Artist & collection
