Cows in a Stable 1820

Jan van Ravenswaay painted this intimate scene of ‘Cows in a Stable’ in the Netherlands, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Ravenswaay’s painting invites us to consider the social and economic significance of livestock in 19th century Dutch society. Dairy farming was a vital part of the Dutch economy, and cows were not merely animals but valuable assets. Here we might consider the role of agricultural societies and institutions in shaping farming practices and promoting animal husbandry. The artist’s focus on the texture of the hay, the worn wood of the stable, and the quiet repose of the cows evokes a sense of rural tranquility, but this belies the intense labor involved in dairy farming. Art historians, with their knowledge of the period, can reveal the complex relationship between humans, animals, and the environment that shaped the Dutch landscape. They also can help us to understand the values and beliefs that underpinned Dutch society in the 19th century.