Liggend schaap 1809

Hendrik Schouten made this drawing of a ‘Liggend schaap’ or lying sheep, with pen in 1809. The Dutch Golden Age of painting in the 17th century saw artists like Paulus Potter elevate farm animals to the status of history painting, reflecting the economic importance of livestock in the Netherlands. By the 19th century, though, this heroic vision of agrarian life had waned. Schouten’s image seems to return to the pastoral themes, but something is lost in translation. Note how the sheep, which is the central subject in the artwork, faces away from the viewer. This could be seen as the artist not wanting the viewer to connect with the sheep on a personal level and creating a formal statement instead. To understand the historical context better, one might consult agricultural records, art market data, and contemporary exhibition reviews. All these resources could reflect on the social and institutional dimensions of Schouten's art.