Koe in waterrijk landschap 1812 - 1877

Antonie Franciscus Dona made this drawing of a cow in a watery landscape with brush in grey ink. In the Netherlands, agriculture and the landscape were deeply intertwined. The country’s wealth depended on both. Here, the cow isn’t just a farm animal. It’s a symbol of prosperity in a rural idyll. Although Dona wasn't particularly successful during his time, he actively participated in the artistic world of his time by joining art societies like Kunstliefde in Utrecht. These societies played a vital role in the 19th-century art world by organizing exhibitions and offering artists a platform to showcase and sell their work. To fully appreciate Dona's work, you might want to delve into the records of these art societies, as well as agricultural journals and landscape paintings from the period. These resources will provide valuable insights into the social and cultural values that shaped Dona's art.