Koe Possibly 1883 - 1885

Editor: So, this drawing, "Koe," possibly made between 1883 and 1885 by George Hendrik Breitner, is a pencil sketch, a graphite drawing, really. It's quite striking; the lines are so immediate, focusing on the bulk and power of what looks like a cow’s rear. What do you see in this piece, from a historical perspective? Curator: Well, it's fascinating to consider this work within the context of the late 19th century. Breitner was known for capturing the gritty realities of urban life, particularly in Amsterdam. A study of a cow's hindquarters, then, deviates slightly from that, wouldn’t you agree? Does it seem to romanticize the rural, maybe in response to industrialization, a common thread through art history? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered it as a potential commentary on industrialization. I was just so focused on the animal itself. So its creation would’ve been quite intentional at that time. Curator: Absolutely. The placement of this study becomes very interesting in the Rijksmuseum – does the placement make it about a nostalgic narrative linked to Dutch identity? The deliberate artistic choices in how to capture animals also reflects on their historical treatment as commodity in landscape art and within agricultural contexts. We have to consider the public perception, too. How do audiences at the time perceive the way animals are portrayed? Editor: I see what you mean. Now it’s like, is Breitner celebrating agricultural society, or documenting its changing place in a rapidly modernizing world? Is the artist also commenting on Dutch identity and landscape? I’m just thinking out loud. Curator: Precisely. The sketch gains depth when seen through the lens of its time. The art world, shaped by galleries and societal forces, often frames what's deemed worthy of attention. Perhaps his urban focus gave prominence to a quick agricultural study displayed within an institution like the Rijksmuseum. Editor: That really gives me a different perspective. I now have more things to think about when approaching pieces like this. Curator: Me too.