Ossenkop 1780 - 1851

Pieter Janson made this delicate drawing of an ox head, or Ossenkop, with graphite on paper sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During this era, the Netherlands was undergoing significant political and social upheaval, influenced by Enlightenment ideals and later, Napoleonic rule. Janson’s meticulous study of animal anatomy can be seen through the lens of scientific inquiry that characterized the period. But, beyond its scientific value, consider the symbolism of the ox. In Dutch Golden Age painting, cattle often represented prosperity and agricultural wealth. Janson's drawing prompts us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world, and invites us to think about the cultural values we project onto animals, transforming the simple image into a reflection on society itself.