Grazende koe, naar rechts 1775 - 1833

Editor: This drawing, titled "Grazende koe, naar rechts" or "Grazing Cow, Facing Right," is by Jean Bernard, dating somewhere between 1775 and 1833. It's a simple pencil drawing of a cow, but the texture created with the pencil really brings out the animal's form. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, this drawing isn't just a representation of a cow; it's a document of agricultural labor and changing land use. Pencil wasn't always an accessible material, so what does its presence tell us about the artist’s intentions and audience? Consider also, the industrial revolution and emerging consumer culture, the relationship between the rural and urban. Was Bernard perhaps commenting on it? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't thought of the pencil itself as a factor. I guess I was focused on it being a pastoral scene. Did these kinds of scenes serve any broader purpose at the time, perhaps even reinforcing certain social values? Curator: Exactly! Think about the role of the pastoral in idealizing rural life. These images, even if seemingly simple, circulated within a market. They shape perceptions of food production, and contribute to broader narratives of land ownership, agricultural progress, and the value of the animal within the food system itself. We should consider, how this seemingly straightforward depiction participates in a network of material exchange and social messaging. How does this change your view? Editor: I see now. The choice of medium, the subject matter—it all reflects the relationship between humans, animals, and the changing landscape due to growing consumerism. Thanks! Curator: And I find myself appreciating the way even a simple drawing can unpack complex relationships between labor, material, and consumption!