Koeien bij een waterplaats en een huis aan een weg 1876 - 1877

Willem Cornelis Rip captured this image of cows by a watering place and a house along a road in graphite, though the year remains unknown. Rip, who lived from 1856 to 1922, situated his artistic practice in the Netherlands during a time of significant social change, as industrialization began to reshape the landscape. In this image, the sketch-like quality offers an intimate glimpse into rural life. Cows are seen drinking, while a figure stands nearby, all against the backdrop of a modest dwelling. The simplicity of the composition reflects a connection to the land, and to a slower, more agrarian way of life. The focus on the cows as subjects invites reflection on our relationship with animals. How do we perceive them, and what role do they play in our society? The scene offers a quiet contemplation on the values and realities of rural existence during a time of transition. It prompts us to think about what has been gained and what may have been lost.