Birds and a Spaniel in a Garden

Birds and a Spaniel in a Garden, a painting by Melchior d'Hondecoeter (1660-1695), is housed at Buckingham Palace. 



The artwork depicts a lively scene in a garden, featuring a variety of birds and a spaniel. The central focus is a grey crowned crane, standing prominently. Other birds include a rooster, hens, chicks, a cassowary, a pigeon in flight, and several smaller birds. A tortoise is also present in the foreground. A spaniel dog stands alertly among the birds. The background shows a classical-style garden with trees, architecture, and a glimpse of a building with arches. The overall style is characteristic of Dutch animal painting of the period, with detailed rendering of the animals and a naturalistic setting. The painting measures 1.522 meters in width and 1.275 meters in height.