The Dead Swan

The Dead Swan, a 1716 painting by Jan Weenix, is a still life depicting a dead swan lying on its side, its wings spread wide. 



The swan is the central focus, its white feathers meticulously rendered, contrasting with the darker background. Underneath the swan is a peacock, partially obscured, and other smaller birds, possibly a woodcock and a partridge. A basket of fruit, including peaches, apples, and grapes, is placed near the birds, adding to the still life composition. 



The background features a classical landscape with trees, a formal garden, and a glimpse of a building in the distance. A stone urn or fountain, adorned with rope and classical relief carvings, is partially visible in the upper right corner, adding an element of classical architecture to the scene. A knife lies on the ground near the birds. The overall palette is dark and rich, with muted tones dominating the background, while the swan and the fruit stand out in brighter shades. The painting measures 1.54 meters in width and 1.73 meters in height and is part of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen collection.