Boerenmeisje met twee koeien 1888

Philip Zilcken made this etching, "Boerenmeisje met twee koeien" or "Farm Girl with Two Cows," as a study sheet. It reflects the Dutch interest in rural life at the turn of the 20th century. Dutch art institutions promoted a romantic view of the countryside. Here we see an idealized vision of agrarian simplicity. The girl tending to her cows represents a harmony with nature, a frequent theme in art of this period. Zilcken, trained in the Hague School style, often depicted scenes of daily life, emphasizing the dignity of labor. To understand this image more fully, one might look at agricultural practices and social hierarchies in the Netherlands at this time. Academic studies and journalistic accounts could give a more complete picture of rural life. This artwork offers a window into how Dutch society viewed itself and its relationship to the land.