Liggende koe, naar rechts 1825

Editor: Here we have Jean Bernard's "Liggende koe, naar rechts," created around 1825. It's a pencil drawing, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. I’m immediately struck by the cow's languid pose and how simply yet effectively Bernard captures its form. It's such a peaceful scene. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, isn't it marvelous? You know, it reminds me of those endless summer afternoons, just watching cows graze. It's got that same quiet, contemplative energy. Bernard’s realism really shines, doesn’t it? I wonder what drew him to depict this cow so specifically? Was it simply a practice in form, or was there perhaps some deeper, personal connection to rural life? Notice the detail in the rendering of the fur, the delicate shading... Do you find it more scientific or sentimental? Editor: I think there's a bit of both. The realism is scientific in its accuracy, but the way the cow seems so calm…that feels sentimental. Almost nostalgic. Curator: Nostalgia, yes! Precisely. It feels like a snapshot of a bygone era, doesn't it? Like a memory, faded but still vivid. And the pencil work itself, the way the lines almost seem to breathe... It adds to that feeling. One has to wonder how many sketches he discarded to reach this tranquil composition? Editor: I hadn't considered the sheer effort behind making it look so effortless. I guess it is easy to overlook with a pencil drawing. This drawing encourages us to find beauty in the everyday. I am starting to feel very calm looking at the drawing. Curator: Absolutely. It teaches us to pause and truly observe the world around us. A single cow in a field can indeed be quite profound. I will carry that through my own experiences now. Thank you.