Artwork
Hens, a Pigeon and a Rabbit
Hens, a Pigeon and a Rabbit is an oil painting by Giovanni Agostino Cassana. It dates from 1719 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.
About this work
Overview
Hens, a Pigeon and a Rabbit is an oil painting created in 1719 by Giovanni Agostino Cassana, an Italian Baroque artist. The work features a group of domestic and wild animals in a dimly lit setting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts three hens (in white and brown), a gray and white pigeon, and a brown and white rabbit, likely in a barn or coop. The subject emphasizes everyday, observable life, characteristic of Cassana's animal-focused oeuvre.
Technique & Style
Executed in a realistic style, the painting showcases Cassana's attention to detail in rendering textures of feathers and fur. A dark background employs chiaroscuro to highlight the subjects, typical of Baroque artistic practices.
History & Provenance
Cassana, trained by his father and influenced by artists like Antonio Maria Vasallo, created this work late in his career. After his death in 1720, the painting entered the collection of the National Museum in Kraków, where it remains.
Context
This work reflects Cassana's place within the broader Baroque tradition of detailed, observational animal painting, as seen in the works of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione. Its style and subject matter align with the artistic tastes of his time, particularly among the nobility.
Legacy
While not widely renowned beyond its genre, Hens, a Pigeon and a Rabbit contributes to the understanding of 18th-century Italian Baroque animal painting and Cassana's contribution to this tradition. Its presence in the National Museum in Kraków underscores the global dissemination of Baroque art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Abate, or Giovanni Agostino Cassana (c.1658 – 6 May 1720) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period.
