Koeien 1880 - 1904

Editor: Here we have "Koeien," or "Cows," painted by Willem Maris between 1880 and 1904, using oil on canvas. It's a pretty typical pastoral scene, cows grazing… sort of subdued and peaceful. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: I’m drawn to the visible brushstrokes and the materiality of the paint itself. Consider the socio-economic context: the late 19th century was a period of industrial advancement. Doesn't the focus on rural subject matter and the artist’s hand almost function as a reaction against the mechanization of labor? Editor: That's interesting! It feels like a celebration of a simpler life. Curator: Exactly! And look closely at how Maris handles light and shadow. It’s not just about depicting the scene realistically, but highlighting the inherent qualities of oil paint—its texture, its ability to capture fleeting moments. The brushstrokes themselves are a testament to the physical act of creation. Where does the industrial revolution fit into this view of the work? Editor: I see what you mean! The loose brushwork feels very deliberate, a physical assertion of the artist's labor in contrast to factory production. Were paintings like this consumed mostly by wealthy industrialists, then? Curator: Perhaps. And there's a compelling tension to unpack. These landscapes romanticize a specific idea of labor in agriculture, but they’re often destined for drawing rooms supported by entirely different labor practices. Do you find the materiality and production clash at all? Editor: Definitely. It makes you think about the role art plays in shaping our understanding of work and value. Curator: Precisely. Examining the materials and their application offers insights into not just aesthetic choices, but broader societal values. Editor: This painting seems to be more complicated than I initially thought. I'm beginning to consider art’s function within that economic structure! Curator: That’s great! Analyzing through a material lens encourages us to see artworks as products of their time, shaped by the hands that made them and the world that consumed them.