Plucking the Geese

Plucking the Geese

This painting, titled "Plucking the Geese", is an oil on canvas work created by an unidentified artist. The artwork, dated 1904, is currently held in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst. The painting measures 67 by 55 centimeters.

The scene depicts the interior of a dimly lit room, likely a farmhouse, where a group of four people are engaged in the messy task of plucking geese. The focus is on a young man in a flat cap, seated on a low stool, who holds a large goose between his knees, its white feathers scattered around him. He looks intently at the bird as he works. To his right, a woman in a dark red bodice cradles another goose, her expression suggesting a mix of concentration and perhaps a touch of sadness. Behind them, two other figures, their faces partially obscured, are similarly occupied with their own birds. The presence of another goose, lying on its side in the lower right corner, emphasizes the cyclical nature of farm life and the preparation of poultry for consumption. The muted color palette and the play of light and shadow contribute to a sense of realism and convey the everyday nature of this rural activity.