Koeien 1643 - 1655

Herman van Swanevelt made this etching, "Koeien", meaning "Cows" in Dutch, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. It shows two cows in a field with a shepherd. Produced in the Netherlands during its Golden Age, this print speaks to the nation's burgeoning sense of identity, deeply rooted in its agriculture and landscape. We see the shepherd tending to his animals. He’s not an idealized classical figure, but a common man at one with the land. The etching technique itself, with its reproducible nature, democratized art, making it accessible to a broader public. Prints like these found their way into homes, shaping perceptions and solidifying cultural values. To truly understand this work, consider the economic prosperity of the time, the rise of Dutch realism in art, and the social structures that celebrated rural life. The historian's task is to uncover these layers, using archival records, contemporary accounts, and art historical analysis.