Three Hens
by M Spadecaller
Title
Three Hens
Artist
M Spadecaller
Medium
Digital Art - Digital & Photographic Art
Description
Chickens were not kept for food until the Hellenistic period (4th–2nd centuries BC). Originally, they were raised for cockfighting or special ceremonies. According to legend, Chickens were discovered in the first decade of the fifth century B.C. by an Athenian general, Themistocles. While he was on his way to oppose the Persian invasion, the general stopped by the side of a road to watch two cocks fighting. Inspired by their lethal combat, he summoned his troops to observe. Addressing his army, he explained: “Behold, these do not fight for their household gods, for the monuments of their ancestors, for glory, for liberty or the safety of their children, but only because one will not give way to the other.” Of course, the story does not depict the loser’s bloody death.
Although the soldiers found the combative roosters inspirational, the pointless demise failed to justify the atrocities of war. Nonetheless, history records that the heartened Greeks went on to defeat the invaders - preserving the civilization that today honors those same birds by using them in fried, breaded, and a plethora of cooked succulent dishes.
In addition to appreciating chickens for their contribution to the culinary world, their splendor and intrigue have fascinated artists since the 7th century BC. when they appeared on Corinthian pottery. Here, Spadecaller presents his version of artwork with chickens.
“Three Hens”, is a hand-painted digital image and photo composite completed in Spadecaller’s Florida Studio on 6/5/2022.
Uploaded
June 5th, 2022
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