Den dræbte and; Hunden ved stranden 1845

Adolph Kittendorff created this print called "The Dead Duck; Dog by the Beach" at an unknown date. The two contrasting scenes invite us to reflect on the natural world and our relationship to it. Produced in Denmark, the imagery connects to a Romantic interest in nature, but it also subtly references the economic realities of 19th-century life, especially in rural settings. The dead duck represents the food chain, the hunt, and the cycle of life and death that would have been familiar to many. Juxtapose this with the dog, a domesticated animal, perhaps awaiting its master, and we see a representation of human intervention in nature. To fully appreciate Kittendorff's work, it would be interesting to research the context in which it was made; looking into Danish hunting traditions and artistic representations of animals during this period could reveal further layers of meaning.