Et par høns i et bur pikker korn op 1784 - 1787

This drawing, "Et par høns i et bur pikker korn op" (A Pair of Hens in a Cage Pecking Up Grain), created by Nicolai Abildgaard between 1784 and 1787, is a detailed study of two hens within a cage. The artist, known for his Neoclassical style, captures the graceful movement of the hens as they peck at the grain with delicate lines and shading. The detailed depiction of the cage, including its latticework and ornate design, hints at the importance of order and structure within the Neoclassical aesthetic. This small-scale artwork, now located in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, showcases Abildgaard's meticulous observation of everyday life, elevating a simple subject to a work of artistic merit.