Liggende koeien 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this drawing of lying cows using graphite on paper. Mauve chose readily available, affordable materials, reflecting a direct, unpretentious approach to art making. Graphite, a form of carbon, allows for a wide range of tones and textures through the pressure applied, thus adding depth and dimension to the figures and the surrounding landscape. The visible strokes give the work an immediacy, and the texture of the paper adds a tactile quality to the image. Cows in a pasture symbolize rural life, the foundation of society, and the relationship between humans and nature. This choice of subject, combined with the simplicity of the medium, suggests an interest in the everyday, perhaps even a critique of the art world of his time. Mauve's approach democratizes art. It is in its way a statement about the value of humble subjects and materials, challenging the academic art of the period.