Studies van koeien 1848 - 1865

Gerard Bilders made these "Studies of Cows" with pen in gray in the Netherlands sometime in the mid-19th century. They’re quick sketches of farm animals on a blank page. At this time, the Dutch art world was in a period of reflection, seeking to re-establish a distinct national identity in painting. Artists turned to the rural landscape, and the peasant life for authentic subject matter, far removed from the urbanity and industrialization that was fast changing the world. Bilders was very much part of this movement. These studies, which can be found in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, are valuable for understanding the artistic process and the social context in which Dutch artists like Bilders were trying to find their place. They are a kind of visual record, helping us to understand how these artists looked at and interpreted their world. By researching period documents, exhibition reviews, and artists' letters, we can come to understand the cultural values that shaped the art of the time.