Koe bij boomstronk 1766 - 1837

This tiny drawing, "Koe bij boomstronk", or "Cow by Tree Trunk," was etched by Jan van Noort sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Van Noort was working during a period of great social and political upheaval, as Europe was being reshaped by revolution and the rise of industrial capitalism. This unassuming image of pastoral life speaks volumes about the relationship between humanity and nature, and how that dynamic was shifting. The cow is a symbol, of course, of agriculture and rural life, but also perhaps an assertion of Dutch identity. It is tempting to view the cow as a figure that is both docile and strong, embodying a particular kind of national character. This connects to discussions about the role of the working class, whose labor was essential to the burgeoning capitalist economy. The image resonates with a deep longing for simpler times, even as the world was rapidly changing.