Koeien in een wei aan het water 1835 - 1925

Curator: What a pastoral scene. We’re looking at “Koeien in een wei aan het water,” or “Cows in a meadow by the water,” attributed to Arie Kunz, likely made between 1835 and 1925. It's a print, using the technique of engraving. Editor: It strikes me as immediately peaceful, wouldn’t you say? The low horizon line, the languid poses of the cows... It gives a feeling of immense calm. Curator: That’s right, these Dutch Golden Age landscapes had an agenda. They were designed to depict the new formed Dutch state. It’s about showcasing rural life and prosperity after independence from Spain. It says a lot about cultural identity through its subjects and compositions. Editor: You can see echoes of older, perhaps even primordial meanings here, too. Cows, in numerous cultures, are symbolic of abundance and nurturing. Resting by the water suggests tranquility, a connection to the life-giving forces of nature. The dark and light cows juxtaposed, do you think that signifies the yin and yang? Curator: Perhaps. One reading of this work positions cows as more than agrarian symbols. The rise of landscape imagery in this time reflects shifting power dynamics. Dutch landowners used the aesthetic qualities of the land to show the agricultural wealth and stability of the Dutch Republic. And the popularity of depicting cows likely served political messaging too. Editor: I see your point, that its placement would’ve likely been calculated and impactful, although, perhaps these associations become inextricably intertwined; wealth manifested through agricultural abundance in turn mirroring some ancient archetype about the land's ability to nourish and sustain. It adds a certain depth to something seemingly simple. Curator: Exactly! It encapsulates an era’s self-image and political aspirations in an easily digestible form. It becomes so powerful that such symbolism and those older traditions have remained relevant over time. Editor: I agree, reflecting on this landscape I am really struck how it holds a double significance. Both ancient and of a recent time. The layering creates that peace and comfort which struck me at first sight.