Duck and bitter orange Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin (1699-1779)

The composition presents a still life arrangement dominated by a suspended fowl. The bird hangs upside down, secured by its feet tied with twine, which is visible at the upper edge of the canvas. Its plumage displays a muted palette of grays and browns, meticulously rendered to capture the texture of feathers – some ruffled, others smooth. A dark green patch adorns the neck, contrasting subtly with the reddish-orange hue of the beak and legs. The bird’s head is angled downwards, its eye appearing vacant and lifeless.
Below the fowl rests a single bitter orange, partially obscured by a small, withered leaf. The fruits surface exhibits imperfections – blemishes and subtle color variations – suggesting ripeness and decay simultaneously. It sits on a dark, roughly textured plane that serves as the base of the composition.
The background is an expanse of deep brown, devoid of detail, which intensifies the focus on the central objects. The lighting is dramatic; it originates from an unseen source to the left, casting shadows that accentuate the three-dimensionality of both the bird and the fruit. This chiaroscuro effect contributes to a sense of solemnity and stillness.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of game and produce, the painting evokes themes of mortality and transience. The suspended fowl, clearly deceased, serves as a stark reminder of life’s fragility. Its presentation – hanging by its feet – suggests vulnerability and loss of agency. The bitter orange, with its combination of sweetness and acidity, further reinforces this duality; it represents both abundance and the inevitable process of deterioration.
The deliberate sparseness of the arrangement contributes to an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. There is a sense of melancholy conveyed through the muted colors, the stark lighting, and the careful rendering of details that highlight the passage of time and the inevitability of decay. The work seems less celebratory of a successful hunt than it is a meditation on the cycle of life and death.