Kyllingerne 1843

Johan Thomas Lundbye made this pen drawing, "Kyllingerne," or "The Chickens," during the Danish Golden Age, a time of national romanticism. Lundbye, like other artists of his era, sought to capture the essence of Danish identity, often through idyllic scenes of rural life. This seemingly simple sketch of a hen with her chicks invites us to consider the complex relationships between nature, nation, and domesticity. The hen, a symbol of motherhood and nurture, is set against a landscape that evokes the Danish countryside. In the 19th century, the family unit was often viewed as a microcosm of the state, where traditional gender roles were valorized. The chicks, sheltered beneath their mother's wings, represent the promise and vulnerability of the next generation. Yet, the single chick standing apart, seemingly looking out into the world, might suggest a longing for independence. This tension between belonging and individuality speaks to broader questions about identity, freedom, and the ties that bind us to a place and its history.