Artwork

Two Hens and a Cock

Two Hens and a Cock, by Unknown, 1750
Two Hens and a Cock, by Unknown, 1750

Two Hens and a Cock is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Two Hens and a Cock is an image dating from around 1750, attributed to the artist recorded as 1888_person. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and depicts a small group of domestic fowl in a natural setting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a rooster with a prominent white plumage and a large comb, accompanied by two smaller hens. The birds are arranged on uneven ground, suggesting a rustic outdoor environment. The focus on the animals’ physical characteristics emphasizes their everyday presence rather than symbolic content.

Technique & Style

Rendered in black and white, the image relies on contrasts of light and shadow to convey the texture of feathers and the roughness of the terrain. Careful rendering of individual plumage and the posture of each bird demonstrates a realistic approach, using chiaroscuro-like modeling to give volume without colour.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1750, the work has been retained within the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography. No further ownership changes are recorded, and the piece remains catalogued under its original title.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known