Berglandschap met koeien 1632 - 1678

Karel du Jardin made this landscape with cows using pen in brown and gray ink around the mid-17th century. The sketch gives us a glimpse into the world of the Dutch Golden Age, a period defined by unprecedented economic growth and artistic innovation. During this time, artists increasingly turned their attention to everyday subjects. Landscapes, like this one, became a popular genre, reflecting a growing sense of national pride and connection to the land. This drawing captures a serene scene, maybe in Italy, with grazing cows and a distant hilltop town. But the image is also interesting because it reflects the economic prosperity of the Netherlands at the time. The cows, symbols of agricultural wealth, are placed in an idyllic setting. In this period, it was common to idealize rural life even as Dutch society was becoming more urbanized and commercially oriented. To fully appreciate this work, historians consult archival documents and period writings. This helps to better understand the relationship between art, society, and the institutions that shaped its production and reception.