Køer på marken 1858

"Køer på marken" or "Cows in the Field" was made by Johannes Wilhelm Zillen during the mid-19th century using etching. Zillen lived during a period of significant social change, marked by rising nationalism and industrialization. This image of cattle, seemingly at peace in their pasture, appears to be a straightforward pastoral scene. However, let's consider that Zillen's Denmark was undergoing rapid urbanization, as people moved from rural settings to urban centers, these idyllic depictions of the countryside took on new meaning. They served not only as reminders of a disappearing way of life, but also as subtle assertions of national identity rooted in the land. What do you feel when you look at this image? Nostalgia? Longing? Perhaps this reflects the emotional pull of an idealized past amidst the complexities of modern progress. The image encourages us to consider our relationship to both the land and the idea of nationhood.