Buffalos and cattle c. 1841 - 1847

Johann Nepomuk Rauch created "Buffalos and cattle" with opaque watercolor. This study sheet reflects a growing interest in rural life. In the early 1800s there was a shift in European society towards a more modern class structure, and a rise in nationalism. In Rauch’s native Austria, the image of the sturdy peasant was seen as representing authentic national identity. The loose and rapid brushstrokes, capture the animals' forms and movements in a way that is both realistic and expressive. Rauch seems interested in the relationship between these animals and the landscape. This could be seen as a commentary on the changing social structures of the time, with the rise of industrialization threatening traditional ways of life. Understanding an image like this requires us to examine the complex forces that shape artistic production. By exploring the social, economic, and cultural context in which Rauch was working, we can begin to appreciate the full significance of this study.