A Cow in a Shed c. 1640

Rembrandt van Rijn made this drawing, ‘A Cow in a Shed,’ sometime in the 17th century, with pen and brown ink and brown wash. The Dutch Golden Age was a period of unprecedented economic growth and cultural flourishing for the Netherlands. Rembrandt, the son of a miller, made several drawings of cows. This grounding in the everyday provides a window into a society undergoing significant transformations. Think about the role of agriculture in the Netherlands during this time. As the country became a global trading power, the labor and resources of the countryside fueled its expansion. What does it mean to center a cow, an animal typically overlooked in grand narratives of history? This drawing invites us to consider the lives and labor that often remain unseen. The cow is not merely an object, but a being with its own presence and dignity. It encourages us to look closely at the world around us, to recognize the value and beauty in the ordinary.