Castillo, José del – Milano con un grupo de aves muertas Part 1 Prado museum

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a dramatic encounter between a raptor and several fallen birds. Here we see a large bird of prey, likely an eagle or hawk, positioned prominently in the foreground with its wings fully extended. Its posture suggests a moment of descent or perhaps a struggle; it appears to be either landing or actively engaging with the other avian subjects.
Below the predator lie a collection of dead birds – a pheasant, a duck, and what seems to be another smaller fowl – scattered across a rocky outcrop. The arrangement is carefully orchestrated, creating a visual pyramid that draws the eye towards the apex formed by the raptor’s wings. The bodies of the deceased birds are rendered with considerable detail, emphasizing their plumage and anatomical features.
The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, and muted greens – contrasted against the blue expanse of the sky in the background. This backdrop provides a sense of depth and distance, hinting at a broader landscape beyond the immediate scene. The foliage on the left side adds to this impression of natural setting.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of predator and prey, the painting seems to carry symbolic weight. The presence of dead birds could be interpreted as representing mortality, loss, or perhaps even the fragility of life. The raptor, a symbol of power and dominance, embodies the inevitable cycle of nature – the constant struggle for survival.
The artist’s meticulous attention to detail in rendering both the living and deceased birds suggests an interest not only in portraying naturalism but also in exploring themes of transience and the inherent drama within the natural world. The compositions theatricality, with its dramatic lighting and carefully arranged elements, elevates it beyond a simple depiction of wildlife; it becomes a meditation on life, death, and the forces that govern them.