Koeien 1880 - 1882

This preliminary sketch, "Koeien" (Cows) by Dutch artist George Hendrik Breitner, is a simple yet insightful example of his artistic process. Created between 1880 and 1882, the drawing features loose, gestural lines, hinting at the forms of cows in a landscape. Breitner's signature style, evident in the energetic strokes, would later evolve into more detailed and expressive cityscape scenes. The piece, housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into Breitner's early exploration of animal forms and the immediacy of his artistic observation.