Twee koeien van achteren gezien 1635 - 1704

"Twee koeien van achteren gezien" is an etching depicting three cows and a sheep in a pastoral setting, created by an anonymous artist sometime between 1635 and 1704. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a small-scale piece, measuring just 144 mm by 215 mm. The composition showcases the cows from behind, highlighting their detailed musculature and anatomy. The sheep in the foreground adds a contrasting element to the piece. The artist's keen observation of animal forms and their portrayal in the etching are indicative of the Dutch Golden Age's emphasis on realism and naturalism. This work demonstrates a fascination with the natural world that was prevalent in 17th-century Dutch art.