Twee liggende koeien 1768

Wouter Dam made this print of two lying cows using etching techniques. The composition is remarkably structured, dividing the scene into distinct horizontal layers, from the foreground with the cows to the sky above. The cows themselves, rendered with fine, detailed lines, dominate the lower half, their solid forms grounded and weighty. The etching lines vary in density, creating a sense of volume and texture, particularly in the animals' coats. In contrast, the upper portion of the print features a lightly sketched landscape and sky, the lines sparser and more suggestive. The division and the use of line weight reflects the influence of classical landscape traditions, yet the focus on everyday pastoral life also introduces a unique perspective. Dam’s attention to line and form elevates the mundane. This print operates within established artistic conventions while subtly questioning traditional hierarchies of subject matter.