Twee koeien onder een boom aan het water 1741 - 1795

Cornelis van Noorde made this drawing of two cows under a tree near the water with pen in gray and black ink around the late 18th century. These cows in a pastoral landscape might seem like a simple scene, but it speaks volumes about the economic and social values of the time. The Dutch economy was booming, and agriculture played a crucial role. Cows, of course, were not just animals, but symbols of prosperity and national pride. The placement of the cows in the landscape reflects a growing interest in naturalism during the Enlightenment, which also led to new institutions like public museums and botanical gardens. The Rijksmuseum itself, where this drawing is housed, is an institution that has shaped how we view Dutch history and culture. By studying archival documents, agricultural records, and art criticism from the period, we can understand the layers of meaning that Van Noorde's seemingly simple drawing holds.