Blad met twee voorstellingen van liggend vee 1778

This print of resting cattle was made by Anthonie van den Bos, sometime before 1838. It is made using etching, a printmaking technique dependent on acid. The artist would have first applied a waxy ground to a metal plate, then drawn through it with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. Immersing the plate in acid would bite away at these exposed lines, incising a design into the surface. This allowed for incredibly fine, detailed work as we can see here, with the tranquil animals rendered using a delicate web of lines and marks. In this print, we can see the relationship between the natural world and the demands of agriculture. Van den Bos uses his mastery of the etching process to bring us closer to the everyday realities of Dutch agricultural life. The print also speaks to a broader cultural preoccupation with nature and rural life during this period. Looking closely at the materials and processes involved in creating this print helps us appreciate its artistic and social value. It is more than just a picture of cows, but an important artifact from a specific time and place.