The artwork “Display of Chickens and Game Birds” by Gustave Caillebotte, dating back to circa 1882, is an oil on canvas painting conveyed with the loose brushwork characteristic of the Impressionist movement. Measuring 76 by 105 centimeters, it falls within the genre of still life and, as of the knowledge cutoff in April 2023, is part of a private collection. The painting presents an intriguing, meticulous look at a variety of birds typically found in game markets.
In the artwork, the viewer’s gaze is drawn to a collection of birds that are arranged in a manner evocative of the marketplaces of the era. A series of plucked chickens is aligned along the lower foreground, their bulky forms and paled hues of flesh standing in stark contrast against a dark backdrop. Above them, a row of birds hangs from a bar, presumably by their feet, showcasing different positions, plumages, and stages of preparation. The high level of detail and textural variation imbues the subject matter with a tangible presence, while the shadowy background emphasizes the stillness and quietness of the scene. Gustave Caillebotte’s adept use of light and shadow, alongside his careful composition and the emotive application of paint, nostalgically recalls the everyday life and commercial activities of 19th-century France, offering viewers an intimate glimpse of the period’s culinary customs.
