Koe en kop 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this tiny drawing called "Koe en kop" – Cow and Head – with pen in gray and brown ink, sometime in the 19th century. At this time, the Netherlands was proud of its agricultural industry. In a way, it was considered to be the backbone of their economy. Cows were not just farm animals; they were symbols of national pride, appearing in art, literature, and popular culture. Tavenraat's sketch captures this sentiment, though in a muted way. It shows the essence of rural life, where animals like cows were central to people's livelihoods. As art historians, we can delve into the socio-economic factors that shaped this artwork, examining archival records and historical texts to understand the role of agriculture in 19th-century Netherlands, and Tavenraat's place within it.