Artwork
Pelikane und andere Vögel
Pelikane und andere Vögel is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton. It dates from 1724 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1724 by Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton, a Southern‑Netherlandish painter active in Austria, this oil painting belongs to the Rococo era. It is held in the collection of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum and presents a naturalistic grouping of pelicans and assorted waterbirds rendered with a light, decorative touch characteristic of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a sizable white pelican, its elongated neck and beak dominating the foreground, while softer pink plumage adds subtle contrast. Around it, smaller birds with black‑and‑white patterns populate the watery setting, suggesting a tranquil habitat where diverse avian species coexist, inviting contemplation of nature’s variety.
Technique & Style
Hamilton employs a delicate palette and fine brushwork to model feathers, capturing the sheen of water and the play of light across the scene. Layered glazes create depth, guiding the eye from the prominent pelican to the receding figures, while the composition balances realism with the ornamental fluidity typical of Rococo painting.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings as part of its 18th‑century European collection, reflecting the museum’s focus on Austrian and Habsburg‑linked art. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s Austrian patronage, where such natural studies were prized for both decorative and scholarly interest.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton (c. 1664 – 1750), was an 18th-century painter from the Southern Netherlands active in Austria.
