Cows 1620

Peter Paul Rubens created this drawing of Cows with pen and brown ink, a traditional drawing technique. The rapidly sketched lines capture the weight and form of these farm animals, while the blank paper creates a sense of light and shadow. The cows' solid presence speaks to the importance of agriculture in 17th-century life. The production of this piece would have been relatively quick: Rubens’ skilled hand was able to capture the essence of the subject with very few materials. Rubens was celebrated for his ability to capture flesh, texture and emotion. ‘Cows’ is part of a larger context of the artist's exploration of everyday life, elevating ordinary subjects to a new level of artistic importance. By focusing on the artistic skill and the social context, we can fully appreciate Rubens's work beyond traditional categories.