Landschap met koeien 1880 - 1882

This page with sketches titled 'Landschap met koeien' (Landscape with Cows) was created by George Hendrik Breitner, an artist whose career was shaped by the rapid urbanization of the Netherlands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Breitner, known for his raw and unidealized depictions of urban life, here turns his attention to the pastoral. These sketches may seem like a departure, yet they reflect a complex relationship with the changing Dutch landscape. Breitner sought to capture the essence of everyday life, whether in the bustling city or the quiet countryside. Consider the socio-economic context: as cities grew, the image of rural life became both a symbol of nostalgia and a reminder of a disappearing way of life. How might Breitner, an artist deeply engaged with the realities of his time, be using these sketches to explore those tensions? What feelings might they evoke in viewers who were experiencing similar shifts in their own lives? Breitner's sketches invite us to reflect on the ever-evolving relationship between humans, nature, and the societies we build.