Grazende koe, naar rechts 1775 - 1833

Jean Bernard created this red chalk drawing of a grazing cow, titled "Grazende koe, naar rechts", sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Bernard's artistic career unfolded during a period of significant social and political transformation in Europe. The French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic era deeply impacted the artistic landscape, influencing both the subject matter and the style of art produced. The drawing encapsulates the rural and agricultural settings which still defined the lives of many during this transformative period. The imagery of livestock and agriculture represented a connection to the land which was very common at the time. The cow is rendered with attention to its anatomical details, highlighting its physical presence and the labor it performs. The emotional aspect of the artwork resides in its quiet simplicity, evoking a sense of pastoral tranquility amidst a rapidly changing world. In focusing on such everyday scenes, Bernard offers a glimpse into the lives and labor of the rural population.