Staande koe, met zijn kop tussen palen 1775 - 1833

Jean Bernard created this drawing of a cow standing with its head between posts sometime before 1833. This seemingly simple sketch invites us to consider the historical context of the Dutch countryside. In Bernard’s time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant agricultural changes, with shifts in land use and farming practices. The cow, a symbol deeply rooted in Dutch identity and agricultural life, is presented here in a state of confinement. Its head stuck between posts suggests a loss of freedom, perhaps mirroring the broader changes impacting rural communities. How might the artist be commenting on the relationship between nature and human intervention? This image prompts us to consider our treatment of animals, and how our actions impact their well-being. In this drawing, Bernard seems to capture a sense of vulnerability and perhaps, a quiet resistance.