Liggende koe in een stal 1813

Jean Bernard created "Liggende koe in een stal", or "Lying Cow in a Stable", in the late 18th or early 19th century using pen and brush in brown and gray. This work invites us to consider the complex relationship between humans and animals within the historical context of agrarian life. The image depicts a cow confined within the stark, wooden structure of a stable. The scene evokes a sense of the animal’s isolation and dependence on human care, while also highlighting the economic value placed on livestock in agricultural societies. The level of detail in the stable's architecture contrasts with the cow’s passive presence, suggesting a power dynamic between the human-engineered environment and the natural world. The cow, rendered with gentle lines, appears almost melancholic, inviting empathy and reflection on our treatment of animals. Bernard captures the quiet dignity of the animal, urging us to consider the ethical dimensions of our interactions with non-human beings.