Koe, liggend in een stal, naar rechts 1812

Jean Bernard made this drawing of a cow lying in a stable with graphite around the turn of the 19th century in the Netherlands. It offers us a glimpse into the rural economy and the evolving relationship between humans and animals. At this time, the Dutch landscape was undergoing significant transformation due to agricultural advancements and land reclamation projects. The detailed depiction of the cow within its stall invites us to consider the animal's role in Dutch society. Cows were not merely livestock; they were integral to the nation's economic prosperity, providing dairy products and serving as symbols of rural life. Bernard's choice to portray the cow in a state of repose may reflect a broader cultural interest in the natural world, or the rising awareness of animal welfare. To delve deeper into the context of this drawing, one might explore the agricultural practices of the time, the economic importance of livestock, and the artistic conventions governing the representation of animals in Dutch art. Through such investigations, the image opens onto a wider history.