Drie liggende koeien aan een waterkant 1666

Cornelis Saftleven created this drawing of three resting cows by a waterside with graphite and ink. The composition immediately presents us with a study in contrasts: the foreground dominated by the weighty, textured forms of the cows, and the background dissolving into a lighter, sketchier landscape. Saftleven uses line to construct form and delineate space. See how the delicate strokes define the musculature of the cows, while broader, smudged marks suggest shadow and depth. This interplay between precise detail and atmospheric rendering draws our eye through the composition, from the tactile presence of the animals to the misty horizon. The cows themselves are arranged to create a sense of depth and recession, inviting the viewer into the pastoral scene. Consider how Saftleven uses the pastoral genre, yet deviates from conventional representations through his focus on form and materiality. It reflects broader artistic concerns with perception, representation, and the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.