Hier ziet men paarden in de weiden, / Met ossen, ieder onderscheiden [(...)] 1806 - 1830

Editor: This is “Hier ziet men paarden in de weiden, / Met ossen, ieder onderscheiden [(...)]” from around 1806-1830, made by Johan Noman. It looks like a print – or maybe a drawing – with several panels showing different farm animals. I am immediately struck by the...I don't know, kind of charming, slightly naive feel? It seems to exist somewhere between detailed observation and cartoon. What do you make of it? Curator: Naive charm, yes, absolutely! And it reminds me that simplicity can hold so much. This piece, with its combination of engraving and pen work, transports me to a time when the rural landscape held a very different kind of cultural significance. What do you see in the depiction of the animals themselves? Editor: Well, they all seem very calm, posed almost. They're not interacting much, just kind of existing within their little frame. There's a remoteness, a separation from the viewer maybe? Curator: Precisely! And consider the time – early 19th century. Neoclassicism was in full swing, often drawing inspiration from idealized, agrarian visions of life. These animals, posed and somewhat detached as you say, could represent a longing for a simpler time, maybe an idealized vision of rural life... Did the artist succeed, do you think, or does the lack of 'action' let the whole thing down? Editor: I can see that! The sort of static, very neat quality perhaps speaks to that desire for order, or maybe an ordered vision of reality... and I also now read their placidity differently... like they exist as 'specimens', categorised... maybe even as "this is Holland" in a way... Curator: A Dutch brand, almost! Interesting... It reminds me that every artist makes choices... The key, as viewers, is that we allow art to trigger a fresh conversation each time... that is success, if you ask me! Editor: I completely agree. Thanks, I think I see more deeply into the work now, and understand some of its underlying social meanings.