Grazende koe 1837 - 1840

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this lithograph of grazing cows in the Netherlands sometime in the mid-19th century. Lithography, as a printmaking technique, made images like this much more accessible to a wider public. Looking at this image, we see a familiar Romantic trope: the glorification of the natural world and rural life. However, images like this also played a role in shaping national identity. In the 19th century, as countries like the Netherlands were solidifying their borders and sense of self, art was used to define and celebrate what made them unique. This image presents an idealized version of Dutch pastoral life. Through archives and other historical documents, we can better understand how art was used to shape perceptions and promote a particular version of national identity during this period. The image and its wide distribution through lithography becomes a vital piece of social and institutional history.