The Floating Feather

"The Floating Feather" is a renowned oil-on-canvas painting by Dutch artist Melchior d'Hondecoeter, officially titled "A Pelican and Other Birds Near a Pool." Created around 1680, the piece vividly portrays a diverse array of birds—both familiar and exotic—gathered around a tranquil pool. D'Hondecoeter was celebrated for his lifelike bird renditions and extraordinary attention to detail. His works frequently featured meticulously observed subjects set against farmyards or country parks, often incorporating architectural or landscape elements in the background.

Hondecoeter's paintings were highly esteemed by the regents and merchants of Amsterdam, as well as by Stadholder William III of Orange, who proudly displayed his works in three of his palaces. The artist maintained his own poultry yard and often visited the country estates of his patrons to study more exotic species. It was even rumored that he trained a rooster to pose for his paintings!

In "The Floating Feather" a variety of birds can be seen, including a white pelican, Eurasian teal, common merganser, red-breasted goose, and several domesticated ducks. The painting also features large birds from different continents such as a southern cassowary, black crowned crane, and American flamingo. D'Hondecoeter's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the diverse range of bird species depicted.

D'Hondecoeter painted a similar work titled "A Pelican and Other Exotic Birds in a Park" which shares certain elements with "The Floating Feather" such as the arrangement of birds on the water, the presence of the pelican, and the iconic floating feather. However, there are distinct differences in the landscape and the introduction of different bird species in this second piece. The date of this work is estimated to be between 1655 and 1660.