International Respect for Chickens Day is observed on May 4, 2026, to promote compassion, awareness, and humane treatment of chickens worldwide. This is a day close to our hearts at Richard Taylor Fine Art as we have rescue hens, ourselves. They are ex commercial hens that would have gone to slaugher at 17 months but, if lucky enough to be rehomed, go on to enjoy retirement and a life of freedom instead. 

International Respect for Chickens Day is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about the welfare, intelligence, and cognitive complexity of chickens. It encourages people to treat chickens with respect, recognize their social and emotional capacities, and advocate for more humane farming practices. The day also promotes the benefits of a plantbased or vegan lifestyle,   highlighting alternatives to using chickens for food.  Chickens and indeed Cockerels, the male bird often killed at birth as they dont lay eggs, are highly intelligent  and social animals. They can recognize over 100 individual faces, communicate with at least 24 distinct vocalizations, and even demonstrate problem-solving skills and empathy. Despite this, billions of chickens are raised annually in industrial farming conditions that often involve overcrowding, debeaking without anesthesia, and limited mobility. The day emphasizes that chickens are not merely food sources but sentient beings deserving of respect and ethical consideration.


Andrew Law (1873-1967)

Portrait of a Cockerel in a Barn

This absolutely lovely Scottish oil painting is by noted animal artist Andrew Law. Painted circa 1920, the composition is of a cockerel in a barn, stood by an empty silver dish. This handsome fella is a Rhode Island Red, like in the old Kellog’s advert.  His large red comb and wattles are magnificent. His plumage is beautifully depicted with the dark curly feathers of his tail and some iridescent green feathers under the bright orange on his back and more golden feathers on his shoulders. One can clearly see his spurs on his legs and the detail of the scales. His colours stand out beautifully against the dark of the barn and in contrast to the smooth, shiny surface of his food dish. If you like cockerels this is for you, a super Scottish animal oil painting and an excellent example of Law's work. It was an exhibited work at Glasgows Paisley Art Institute. 

Signed lower right.

Provenance Paisley Art Institute label verso.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/andrew-law/portrait-of-a-cockerel-in-a-barn
 

Thomas Barker (1769-1847)

Great Waterfall at Tivoli through Ponte Lupo

This superb exhibited British 18th century Old Master Italian landscape oil painting is by noted artist Thomas Barker of Bath. Painted in 1794 and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1796, the location is Tivoli. One has a close up view through the towering Pont Lupo, or Wolf Bridge, a Roman aqueduct built in 144 BC, to The Great Waterfall of Tivoli beyond. In the foreground are travellers on horse back talking to some locals who are gesturing the route. The warm tones of the surroundings in the foreground really contrasts with the misty, almost mystical waterfall in the sunshine in the background. A beautiful painting and an excellent example of Barker of Bath's early work.

Signed lower left and dated 1794. 
 
Provenance Exhibited at the Royal Academy  in 1796 no. 343 entitled 'A view of the Great Waterfall of Tivoli, seen through the Pont Lupo'.
                   Purchased at Christie's, London 15th April 1994 (£ 22,000 hammer price)(£30,000 with fees)
                 Galerie Christa Cackett - label verso.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/barker/great-waterfall-at-tivoli-through-ponte-lupo

Frank Owen Salisbury (1874-1964)

Onward Christian Soldiers

This striking British Edwardian religious oil painting is by noted artist Francis 'Frank' Owen Salisbury or Frank O'Salisbury as he is largely known. Painted in 1911 it is a figurative landscape of soldiers on the battlefield. The two central characters, the 'Christian Soldiers' from the early crusades have halos and ride through the chaos on white horses. Shafts on light with angels illuminate them and also a crucifix. A very powerful Edwardian religious oil painting and an excellent example of O'Salisbury's work. painted in oil and illuminated in gold leaf.

Signed and dated with monogram lower right 1911.

Provenance From Castle of Park, Aberdeenshire. 

A version of this painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy London in 1911 entitled the Passing of War.   

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/salisbury/onward-christian-soldiers 

Henri Moreau (1869-1943)

Ballerinas Putting on their Shoes

This lovely Belgian Impressionist figurative oil painting is by noted artist Henri Moreau. Although Belgian by birth, Moreau spent many years in France, moving to Paris in 1920 and one can see the influence of the French Impressionists in his work. In this painting, painted circa 1920, two young ballerinas are putting on their ballet shoes, one seated, one standing. Their tutus are a mass of froth around them. There is a table with two lovely gleaming red bowls and a vivid green bottle. In the mirror above we can see one ballerina reflected. There are such rich and vivid tones and the brushwork is just superb. Ballerina paintings are always popular but this is a particularly fine one and an excellent example of Moreau's work.

Signed lower left.

Provenance Surrey estate. 

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/interiors/moreau/ballerinas-putting-on-their-shoes

Samuel Fulton (1848-1930)

Portrait of a Springer Spaniel

This charming British Victorian dog portrait is by renown animal artist Samuel Fulton. Painted circa 1900 the composition is of a Springer Spaniel sat on some straw outside with a wall behind them. The spaniel is liver and white coloured with a predominantly brown face and ears with white on its muzzle and white legs and tummy. She is wearing a collar and gazing directly at the artist/viewer. Fulton has perfectly captured her soft fur, fluffy ears and sweet nature. This is a lovely British Victorian dog portrait oil painting and if you love dogs, how could you resist?

Signed lower right.

Provenance Bears James McClure & Son Framers label verso.
The spaniel depicted was the previous vendor's mother's dog.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/animals-dogs/samuel-fulton/portrait-of-a-springer-spaniel










Woody 

I'm sure you can see the likeness! This was our gorgeous springer spaniel Woody who shared our lives for 14 and a half years. She was a bundle of energy and would run for miles. Her favourite place was Gwithian Sands in Cornwall -she would run down the steps and make a bee lline for the sea, no looking back. Happy days.