En død skovskade 1840

"En død skovskade" (A Dead Jay) is a watercolor painting by Johan Thomas Lundbye, created in 1840. The painting depicts a single jay, lying lifeless on a gray background. This intricate depiction of the bird's anatomy, particularly its feathers, highlights Lundbye’s skill as a natural painter. The muted palette contributes to a sense of tranquility, while the subject matter invites contemplation on mortality and the beauty found in nature's delicate cycle. The painting is currently held at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst.