Liggende koe, in een stal, van voren 1826 - 1828

Jean Bernard created this drawing of a cow lying in a stable in the Netherlands around 1825. The detailed pencil work captures the animal's form and the rough texture of the straw bedding. What might a drawing of livestock tell us about the society that produced it? The Dutch economy of the early 19th century was still heavily reliant on agriculture. The detailed depiction of the cow, a valuable asset, reflects its economic importance. The drawing may also speak to the influence of the Dutch животноводство tradition, in which farm animals held symbolic value representing prosperity and national identity. To fully understand this drawing, we could research Dutch agricultural practices, Нидерландское искусство, and economic history of the period. Art provides valuable evidence of our relationship to the environment and the social and economic activities that shape our world.