Staande koe 1830

Albertus Verhoesen created this small etching of a cow sometime in the first half of the 19th century. While seemingly a simple pastoral scene, consider the cow's role in Dutch society at the time. The Netherlands had a strong agricultural economy and the image of a healthy, productive cow was closely tied to national prosperity and identity. Think about how these animals become symbols, representing wealth, stability, and the pastoral ideal. Verhoesen's choice to depict a single cow, standing prominently in the foreground, elevates the animal to a subject worthy of attention and respect. In many ways, this challenges traditional hierarchies within art, where animals were often relegated to the background. What does it mean to give the cow its own stage? What conversations does this open up about our relationship with the natural world and our sources of sustenance?