Artwork

Keld Skov ved Frederiksborg med en del af det kongelige stutteri. I forgrunden schweizer- og tyrolerkvæg

Keld Skov ved Frederiksborg med en del af det kongelige stutteri. I forgrunden schweizer- og tyrolerkvæg is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1750, this image presents a tranquil view of Keld Forest near Frederiksborg, incorporating a segment of the royal stud farm.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1750, this image presents a tranquil view of Keld Forest near Frederiksborg, incorporating a segment of the royal stud farm. The composition balances a central tree with grazing livestock, set against a softly clouded sky, conveying a calm, pastoral atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The foreground features Swiss and Tyrolean cattle, while horses from the royal breeding program occupy the middle ground. The inclusion of these specific breeds highlights the estate’s role in managing elite livestock, suggesting both agricultural prosperity and aristocratic leisure.

Technique & Style

Rendered with a delicate gradation of light and shadow, the work employs a subtle chiaroscuro that models the trees and animals, giving depth to the landscape. The muted palette and careful handling of atmospheric effects reflect mid‑18th‑century Northern European landscape conventions.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the anonymous artist catalogued as 303_person, the piece entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is currently held. Its dating to the mid‑1700s aligns with the period when the Frederiksborg estate was a focal point of royal agricultural activity.