Dear Colleagues,
A co-worker recently asked me a question about a motif she has
seen
in 17th century Dutch painting. The motif is a dead chicken
hanging
from a skirt waistband worn by a young woman or teenage girl.
Rembrandt's "Night Watch" shows a good example of this. Does any
one know if this is a symbol for something - i.e. fertility or
ready
for marriage? Or, was it simply a convenient means for a scullery
maid or cook to free up her hands when doing the marketing or on
the
way to another kitchen?
Thanks,
Miranda
Miranda Howard Haddock
Associate Professor
Visual Resources Librarian
Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 387-4113
fax: (269) 387-4114
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"A stitch in time saves nine" Proverb
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