Pietra Dura Stone Mosaic “Dead Rooster”

The Pietra Dura stone mosaic “Dead Rooster,” created after Gabriel Metsu’s composition, captures the expressive stillness and contrast of the original Dutch master. The lifeless bird, meticulously rendered in cacholong and nephrite, conveys a sense of both fragility and realism. The deep tones of jasper and tiger’s eye frame the composition, emphasizing the dramatic chiaroscuro typical of 17th-century still life. This mosaic transforms a classic symbol of vanitas into a timeless object of contemplation carved in stone.