Cows by a water 

Franz Kobell captured this waterside scene in ink, a medium that allows for tremendous detail. Kobell came from a family of artists who reflected the shifting social landscape of 18th and 19th century Europe, as the continent moved toward industrialization and urbanization. Here, Kobell depicts an agrarian pastoral scene in the countryside, with a person leading cattle to drink, framed by cliffs and distant hills. As you look at this image, consider the historical and cultural contexts that informed it. In what ways did the burgeoning population, and the expansion of cities shape a nostalgia for rural life? Kobell’s composition romanticizes the natural world and an idealized vision of labor. What do we make of that fantasy today? Notice how Kobell’s delicate lines create a sense of calm and tranquility, an almost reverent treatment of the landscape. The drawing invites you to contemplate the relationship between humanity and nature.