Lelienbergh, Cornelis – Stilleven met haas en zwarte haan, 1659 Rijksmuseum: part 2

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around game animals and produce, rendered with meticulous detail characteristic of Dutch Golden Age painting. A hare is prominently displayed, suspended from a pair of slender branches that cross diagonally across the canvas. Its pale flesh contrasts sharply with the darker tones surrounding it, drawing immediate attention to its form. Above the hare, a black rooster lies partially obscured, its plumage richly detailed and suggesting recent mortality. The arrangement includes a smaller bird perched on a wooden surface in the background, adding depth and complexity to the scene.
The animals are positioned upon a vibrant blue cloth draped over what appears to be a barrel or similar container. This textile serves as a visual anchor, grounding the composition while also introducing a note of luxury and refinement. A generous assortment of vegetables – cabbage leaves, cauliflower florets, and other leafy greens – are clustered around the base of the arrangement, contributing to the overall sense of abundance and seasonal bounty. Scattered shells and discarded foliage are strewn across the lower portion of the scene, adding a touch of naturalism and suggesting a recent hunt or preparation for consumption.
The lighting is carefully orchestrated, with a strong source illuminating the animals from the left, creating highlights on their surfaces and casting deep shadows that enhance the three-dimensionality of the objects. The dark background serves to isolate the still life elements, intensifying their visual impact.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of game and produce, the painting carries several potential subtexts. The presence of both the hare and rooster, representing different types of hunted animals, might allude to the abundance and variety available through successful hunting practices. The careful arrangement and presentation of these items suggest a display of wealth and status within the domestic sphere. The inclusion of discarded elements – the shells, fallen leaves – hints at the transient nature of life and the inevitability of decay, common themes explored in vanitas paintings of the period. The overall effect is one of controlled opulence tempered by an awareness of mortality, characteristic of Dutch still life traditions.