Drie studies van ossen en ossenwagen 1838 - 1840

Pierre Frédéric Lehnert made this drawing of oxen and an ox cart in the mid-19th century, likely as a study for a larger work. Though seemingly a neutral depiction of rural life, this image reflects a cultural fascination with agriculture. The 19th century saw the rise of agricultural societies, which promoted innovation in farming techniques. Pictures like these functioned as both documentation and idealization, showing strong, healthy animals working the land. Consider the social role of such images. Were they intended to celebrate the nobility of labor? Or perhaps to reassure urban viewers of the stability of food production in an era of rapid industrialization? By researching the publications and activities of agricultural societies in the Netherlands during Lehnert's time, we can understand how this seemingly simple drawing participated in a larger cultural discourse about the relationship between humans, animals, and the land.