Staande koe, en profil 1806

Frédéric Théodore Faber created this etching of a standing cow, en profile, in the early 19th century. While seemingly simple, the image reflects significant shifts in Dutch society and its relationship to agriculture. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing agricultural reforms, with an increased focus on livestock breeding and dairy production. Faber's detailed depiction of the cow, emphasizing its physical form, mirrors this growing interest in the animal as a source of economic value. Note the landscape the cow is on. The cow seems isolated. The print also speaks to the changing role of art. As the Dutch middle class grew, so did the demand for accessible, realistic portrayals of everyday life. Prints like this one catered to that market, offering an affordable way to engage with the natural world and the Dutch countryside. To understand this work more deeply, we can consult agricultural records, economic histories, and art market data from the period. These resources shed light on the complex social and economic forces that shaped both the production and reception of this seemingly straightforward image.