Artwork
Cattle Piece
Cattle Piece is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1688 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Cattle Piece, attributed to the artist known as 1891_person, dates to around 1688 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work is a black‑and‑white image that presents a cluster of sheep and cows amid a rugged, stony terrain, with a barely discernible human figure positioned near a rock wall in the distance.
Subject & Meaning
The composition foregrounds a herd of shaggy livestock, some animals turning toward the viewer while others look away, suggesting a moment of collective rest or vigilance in a harsh landscape. The faint silhouette of a person at the edge of the scene hints at human presence without dominating the narrative, emphasizing the animals’ central role within the environment.
Technique & Style
Rendered in stark monochrome, the image relies on pronounced chiaroscuro to separate forms from a dark, cloud‑filled sky. The contrast of bright highlights against deep shadows creates a sense of volume and three‑dimensionality, while the rough brushwork conveys the texture of fur and rock, reinforcing the work’s dramatic atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1688, Cattle Piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains catalogued under the artist’s designation of 1891_person. The museum’s acquisition reflects its broader interest in works that document rural life and animal husbandry within historical contexts.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
