Koeien grazen op de oever en staan in een rivier before 1901

This sepia toned photograph of cows grazing by a river was made by Walter Bartels, although we don’t know exactly when. There's something so dreamy and soft about the whole scene, probably aided by the limited colour palette. Bartels has captured a moment that feels both timeless and fleeting. I love the way the cows are rendered, like soft smudges of sepia against the pale river. The composition is simple, almost minimal, but it’s so effective. The photograph has a beautiful texture, like it’s been printed on slightly rough paper. You can almost feel the grain of the image, especially in the darker areas of the trees. I feel like the photograph invites you to slow down and really look. It's like a quiet meditation on nature, which reminds me of Corot, and his subtle landscapes. For me, this piece shows how art can be about noticing the beauty in the everyday.