Achterpoten van een koe 1818

Jean Bernard made this drawing of the rear of a cow using graphite. The Netherlands of Bernard’s time was the economic powerhouse of Europe, and its landscapes were dotted with farms, pastures, and of course, cows. This work is interesting in that it represents the rise of empirical observation of the natural world which was so important to the Enlightenment era. There was an important shift in the cultural institutions of art at this time as well. Art academies were founded across Europe to provide artists with the opportunity to make a living. As a historian, I might ask, was Bernard influenced by the art academy? It would be interesting to look at his other drawings and learn more about the cultural impact of the art academies on the imagery that was being produced at that time.