Koeien 1880 - 1882

Curator: This is "Koeien," or "Cows" in English, a pencil drawing by George Hendrik Breitner, dating from around 1880 to 1882. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Well, "cows" it is. It's more of a whisper of cows, though, isn't it? Just fleeting impressions on a page... it feels unfinished, like a dream half-remembered. I am struck by the energy and the spontaneity that pencil conveys. Curator: Absolutely. Breitner, though often associated with Impressionism, stands apart. This sketch showcases his focus on capturing fleeting moments, which aligns him with the movement, but here you also clearly see how drawing played a crucial role in his broader artistic practice, informing his paintings. These sketches gave way into larger works and allowed for study of movement and forms. Editor: There's a vulnerability here, too, in the simplicity. It’s honest; Breitner isn't trying to create a grand statement, just seizing a fleeting vision. And even in these quick strokes, there's this sense of groundedness that Breitner really excels at with the more humble of subjects. Curator: He’s a distinctly urban artist, even when sketching cows. It reveals an interesting relationship to the land; the working class environments he depicts stand as somewhat different in his urban paintings of Amsterdam, though still equally as important and foundational in capturing the every day. The very act of sketching en plein air and documenting subjects like working cows has its roots in French painting of the mid-19th century. Editor: The way those cows fill the space and interact together suggests his love of animal subject matter that one might also observe when encountering Degas's horses. To just seize that form from the earth as a starting point for other works speaks to something profound. I am fond of that intersection, you know? When we realize art springs forth even in the banal or quotidian... Curator: It is those intersections that are telling about both artist and cultural moment, right? And the legacy of his urban vision certainly endures. Editor: Yes, these sketched cows invite us to appreciate the simple, quiet beauty in everyday life and in the humble nature of the medium and its subject. A very insightful intersection to spend time reflecting upon!