A Calf Licking Itself 1887

"A Calf Licking Itself" is a bronze sculpture by Danish artist Anne Marie Carl Nielsen, created in 1887. This small-scale sculpture, currently housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, captures a calf in a natural, unposed moment, its body contorted in a seemingly awkward yet graceful pose as it cleans itself. The artist's keen observation of animal anatomy and movement is evident in the detailed rendering of the calf's fur, muscles, and limbs. The piece exemplifies Nielsen's dedication to realistic animal depictions and her talent for capturing the essence of animal life.