Staande koe in een stal, naar rechts 1812

This drawing of a cow in a stall was made by Jean Bernard, using graphite on paper. The artist coaxes a full range of values from the graphite, from the darkest shadows to the lightest highlights. Bernard’s technique is quite conventional, but the image itself gives us insight into the modernization of agriculture. We see the interior of a highly structured barn. The heavy timbers suggest permanence and investment. The cow itself, a dairy breed, is carefully confined, fed, and milked. It’s easy to overlook the human labor implied in this image. The animal's care, the construction of the barn, and even the making of this drawing – all involved skill and effort. This image speaks to the way that rural labor, like that in the cities, was becoming increasingly rationalized and capitalized in the 19th century. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple images can reveal complex histories of work and social change.