Koeien 1890 - 1946

Here we see "Koeien" – cows – rendered in pencil by Cornelis Vreedenburgh. Though undated, Vreedenburgh was active in a time when the Netherlands saw major shifts in agriculture and land use. What strikes me here is not just the subject – common farm animals – but the way they’re presented. The sketch-like quality almost feels like we’re catching a fleeting moment, a quick study. The cows aren’t idealized or romanticized; they’re just… there. The loose lines hint at the everyday, the mundane. Yet, isn’t there a certain beauty in that? The artist's decision to capture these cows in such an unadorned manner offers a glimpse into a world often overlooked. It reminds us of the labor, the lives, and the landscapes that form the backbone of our societies, urging us to consider our relationship with the natural world. This work invites us to find value in the ordinary.