Who painted A Quail Eating an ear of Corn?

A Quail Eating an ear of Corn was painted by Unknown in 1839.

Where can I see A Quail Eating an ear of Corn?

A Quail Eating an ear of Corn is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is A Quail Eating an ear of Corn?

A Quail Eating an ear of Corn is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

A Quail Eating an ear of Corn

Unknown , 1839

A Quail Eating an ear of Corn is a photography by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. A photographic work titled *A Quark Eating an Ear of Corn* was produced in 1839 by the artist identified as 1117_person.

About this work

Overview

A photographic work titled *A Quark Eating an Ear of Corn* was produced in 1839 by the artist identified as 1117_person. The image is preserved in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is catalogued as an example of early photographic practice.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a single quail perched on a flat surface while it pecks at a stalk of corn. The bird’s warm brown plumage contrasts with the golden kernels, suggesting a moment of ordinary feeding behavior rendered with quiet focus.

Technique & Style

The photograph employs a stark chiaroscuro effect: a bright illumination isolates the bird and corn against an entirely black background. This lighting choice gives the subjects a three‑dimensional presence, emphasizing texture in the feathers and the grain of the corn.

History & Provenance

Created in the early nineteenth century, the image entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings sometime after its production, though specific acquisition details are not recorded. Its preservation reflects the institution’s interest in documenting natural subjects through emerging photographic media.

Context

The work dates to a period when photography was beginning to be used for scientific and ethnographic documentation. While not directly linked to Romantic art, its focus on a natural scene aligns with contemporary interests in observing and recording the everyday world.