Koen 1852 - 1933

This is Søren Lund's "Cow," an etching on paper. The fine lines of the etching process lend themselves well to this subject. Lund used acid to bite into a metal plate, creating grooves that would hold ink, and then pressed the plate onto paper, resulting in this delicate, detailed image. The choice of etching is significant here. Unlike a unique painting or drawing, etchings allow for the creation of multiples, bringing art to a wider audience. This democratizing aspect aligns with the growing urban middle classes, and reflects an interest in a pastoral subject—a cow, chickens—representing the Danish countryside. The relatively small size of the artwork also makes it domestic, suitable for display in a middle-class home. Considering the context of the late 19th century, "Cow" speaks to the shifts in artistic production, labor, and the changing relationship between urban and rural life. It asks us to think about how new modes of production were shaping artistic expression and cultural values.