A Hunter's Bag, near a Tree Stump with a Magpie, known as 'The Contemplative Magpie' — Melchior d' Hondecoeter

Melchior d' Hondecoeter. Painted c. 1678.

Commissioned by King William III of Orange, d’Hondecoeter painted these two hunting still lifes for Soestdijk Palace. They hung facing one another in a corridor whereby the magpie in this painting ‘speaks’ to the peacock in the other one. Together they depict a fable in which the birds must choose a king. The magpie objects to the peacock. With its splendid plumage how can it effectively defend its fellow birds in times of peril?

From the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Currently on display in Main building, 17th Century, King Stadtholder William III and Mary Stuart / Delftware.

canvas, oil paint (paint) · Original size: 134 × 215 cm

Print: 74.2 × 119 cm, printed on Hahnemühle FineArt archival cotton paper. Museum-grade reproduction quality, true to the colours and detail of the original work.

Frame (optional): a custom-made wooden frame in a matte black finish, cut to the exact dimensions of this print, with an off-white passe-partout mat and protective glazing. Ready to hang.

Source: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200109384. Image released under CC0 by the Rijksmuseum.