Cattle Piece
1688
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
Dominant colour
Cattle Piece is a 1688 by Unknown, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.
This black-and-white image shows a group of sheep and cows huddled together in a rough, rocky landscape. The animals look shaggy and tangled, with some facing forward and others turned away. In the background, a faint outline of a person stands near a rocky wall, barely visible. The painting’s dramatic lighting makes the animals stand out sharply against the dark, cloudy sky. This kind of lighting is called *chiaroscuro*—it’s all about strong contrasts between light and shadow. Check out how artists use chiaroscuro to create depth and drama.
