Tyrekalvene og lammene 1888

M. Therkildsen painted "Tyrekalvene og lammene" using oils, a medium traditionally associated with fine art. The paint has been applied to create texture, mimicking the rough coats of the bullocks and lambs, and the grassy meadow. The muted palette gives a sense of the Danish landscape, but also speaks to the realities of agricultural life. The very act of creating a realistic image elevates these farm animals, granting them the status afforded to historical or mythological subjects. In the 19th century, there was a growing interest in representing everyday life and labor, as urbanization and industrialization altered the social landscape. Artists like Therkildsen contributed to this by depicting the animals that were so central to rural economies. By engaging with the tools and techniques of painting to depict these creatures, the artist invites us to see the beauty and value in the ordinary, challenging the traditional hierarchy between art and craft, and between rural and urban life.