Karel Purkyně – Still Life with Peacock (Cikán's Hunting Catch), 1861

A remarkable painting from 1861 depicting dead birds – a peacock, owl, magpie, and jay – against a white wall background. Purkyně was among the first in 19th-century Czech art to elevate still life to a respected genre of high art. The work stands out for its impasto technique and extraordinary colour palette.