Rijksmuseum

Hunter’s Bag on a Terrace

Melchior d' Hondecoeter

Date: c. 1678
Medium: canvas, oil paint (paint)
Institution: Rijksmuseum

Together, the two paintings hanging side by side here tell a story. In this one, a magnificent peacock wants to be king of the birds. Meanwhile, the magpie taking centre stage in the other painting voices its objection. The point is that being a worthy ruler is not solely about attractive appearances: he must be able to defend his people. Here, the right king is already present, symbolized by an orange: William III of Orange.

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Creator

Melchior d'Hondecoeter

painter and engraver from the Northern Netherlands (1636-1695) · 1636–1695

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