Hanging Duck (Chaim Soutine, 1925)

Identification of Hanging Duck by Chaim Soutine

Hanging Duck is an oil on panel painting created by Chaim Soutine. The work is dated c.1925. This piece is currently held at the Ohara Museum of Art in Japan.

Chaim Soutine was born in 1893 in Smilavičy, Belarus. He lived until 1943, passing away in Paris. His life and his approach to the medium of oil on panel define the physical presence of this specific work.

Visual Composition and Subject Matter

The composition features a central female figure with wings extending from her back. She is positioned in mid-air, appearing to fly through a dark, void-like background. In one hand, she holds a bird. The scene is populated by several other figures that populate the space around the primary subject. One figure is situated near the top left corner of the frame, while another figure is located toward the right side of the image. Two birds are visible within the composition: one is positioned above the central figure, and the other is located below her.

The arrangement of these elements creates a sense of movement and drama. The dark background provides a sharp contrast to the figures, emphasizing their forms against the shadows. The spatial distribution of the various figures and birds across the canvas establishes a dynamic tension within the scene.