Landschap met koeien Possibly 1883 - 1885

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this work, titled 'Landschap met koeien', in the late 19th or early 20th century. Breitner was a Dutch painter and photographer known for his depictions of urban life in Amsterdam. This work offers a glimpse into the rural settings that still existed alongside the burgeoning cities of the Netherlands. Breitner, influenced by the realist and impressionist movements, sought to capture the immediacy of everyday life. While he’s celebrated for his street scenes and portraits of working-class women, this sketch reveals his engagement with the Dutch landscape tradition. The quick, expressive lines suggest a fleeting moment, a snapshot of cows in a field observed with empathy and attention. The emotional resonance lies in Breitner's ability to find beauty in the ordinary, reflecting a broader societal interest in the lives and landscapes of the Netherlands.