En stående og en liggende ko 1855 - 1920

Theodor Philipsen modeled these plaster cows in Denmark at the turn of the 20th century. It’s a humble subject for art, a scene from rural life, and perhaps that is the point. The late 19th century saw the rise of Realism in European painting as artists turned their attention to everyday scenes and ordinary people. Philipsen, influenced by Impressionism, was particularly interested in depicting animals in natural settings. In Denmark, there was a growing movement to celebrate the nation’s agricultural roots and peasantry. Artists played a role in constructing a sense of national identity tied to the land and its people. Consider the politics of the image. In a rapidly industrializing world, Philipsen's sculpture might be seen as a nostalgic look back at a simpler time, or perhaps a commentary on the changing social landscape of Denmark. To understand the artwork better, we might look into agricultural practices of the time, the art market in Copenhagen, or even the artist’s personal history.