Maris, Jacob – Kippetjes voeren, 1866 Rijksmuseum: part 3

The painting presents a scene of rural domesticity, centered around a young girl engaged in the simple act of feeding chickens. She stands before a weathered wooden fence, her posture suggesting quiet concentration as she scatters feed from a small cloth bag held in her hands. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the child’s presence and drawing attention to her interaction with the surrounding environment.
The artist has employed a muted palette dominated by earthy tones – greens, browns, and yellows – which contribute to an atmosphere of tranquility and naturalism. Light filters through the foliage, dappling the ground and illuminating the girls face in a soft glow. The brushwork is loose and textured, particularly evident in the depiction of the vegetation and the chickens themselves, lending a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the scene.
The chickens are rendered with considerable detail; their plumage exhibits variations in color and texture, capturing their individual characteristics. They cluster around the girl’s feet, creating a dynamic interplay between human and animal. The fence acts as both a compositional device, dividing the foreground from the background, and a symbolic barrier separating domesticity from the wider landscape.
Beyond the literal depiction of a child feeding chickens, the painting hints at themes of innocence, responsibility, and connection to nature. The girl’s focused expression suggests an understanding of her role within this rural setting, while the presence of the chickens evokes a sense of pastoral harmony. The sunflowers blooming in the background introduce a touch of vibrancy and optimism, contrasting with the more subdued tones of the foreground.
The landscape visible beyond the fence – a hazy expanse of fields and trees – implies a broader world that exists just outside this immediate domestic sphere. This subtle layering suggests a narrative extending beyond the depicted moment, inviting contemplation on themes of childhood, labor, and the rhythms of rural life.