Kop van een koe met halsband 1819

Editor: Here we have Cornelis Steffelaar's "Kop van een koe met halsband", a drawing rendered in pencil, dating back to 1819. It's quite a simple sketch, really –almost unassuming – yet something about the cow's eye makes it seem quite thoughtful. What stands out to you when you look at it? Curator: You know, it’s funny you mention the eye. It’s all soft contemplation, isn’t it? Makes you wonder what a cow dreams about in 1819. Hay? Escaping to the city? The way Steffelaar uses line – scratchy, light – gives the whole thing a sort of fleeting quality, like he’s trying to capture the essence of “cow-ness” before it moos off somewhere else. Have you noticed how the halter's only vaguely defined? Editor: That's right, it is only lightly rendered! It almost gives the cow an ethereal feeling. So, beyond the technical aspects, do you find a particular significance in such a simple subject for a work of art? Curator: Absolutely! It challenges the grandeur of the typical historical paintings you’d see from that time, right? Plus, let's not forget that Steffelaar wasn't just seeing a cow. He was seeing *this* cow. There's affection there, however faint. Do you ever wonder what becomes of the animal once the artwork is done? Does she end up at a fancy restaurant? Or peacefully retires to the field where Steffelaar found her? It sets your mind wandering, doesn't it? Editor: It definitely does. I had never considered how much of the artist can be inferred from such a seemingly plain study of a cow! It definitely expands what I will be looking for next time. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! And next time you see a cow, give it a good long look. You might just catch it dreaming.