Liggende koe 1700 - 1800

This undated etching of a reclining cow was created by D. Merrem. It offers insight into the social and economic structures of the Dutch Golden Age, when the Netherlands experienced unprecedented prosperity. Cattle were not merely livestock but symbols of wealth and national pride. Artists like Merrem, following in the footsteps of earlier painters, catered to a market eager to celebrate Dutch agricultural success. This etching, with its precise lines and attention to detail, elevates the cow to a subject worthy of artistic attention. But it also speaks to the growing urbanization of the Netherlands, where images of rural life provided a comforting connection to the land. To truly understand this etching, we need to look at archival records, agricultural treatises, and market reports. These sources help us appreciate how art like this reflected and shaped the values of its time. The meaning of art always depends on social and institutional context.