Liggende koe 1657

Adriaen van de Velde created this etching, "Liggende koe", which translates to "Reclining Cow," during the Dutch Golden Age, a period when the Netherlands was at the forefront of global trade and artistic innovation. Van de Velde’s composition reflects the era’s evolving relationship with nature and agriculture. Cows, like the one depicted here, were deeply interwoven with the economic prosperity and identity of the Netherlands. Van de Velde doesn’t just show us livestock; he seems interested in the individual presence of this animal, its calm demeanor, and its connection to the land. Look closely and you will see how his etching captures a sense of rural peace, reflecting a society where agriculture was not only a source of livelihood but also a symbol of national pride. The simplicity of the subject—a single cow resting—invites us to consider our own place within the natural world. It is both a portrait and a pastoral scene, reflecting a cultural moment where the land and its bounty were celebrated as integral to the Dutch identity.