Black Cocks at Ground
1675
Step into a 17th-century Swedish forest at dusk, where a chaotic bird brawl is underway. This dramatic scene captures the 'lekking' ritual of black grouse—historically called 'black cocks'—where males puff up their striking white tail feathers and fight for dominance. Painted by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl in 1675, it feels less like a stiff Baroque portrait and more like a frozen moment from a modern nature documentary. The glowing pink sky contrasts beautifully with the dark, feathery chaos on the ground, highlighting the raw energy of the wild as females flutter in from above to choose a mate.
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