Twee jonge stieren en een koe 1775 - 1851

Pieter Janson made this image of young bulls and a cow with pen, brush and watercolor. While seemingly traditional materials, watercolor was integral to the industrial revolution because it was so portable; it offered a quick way of seeing and recording. Consider how the lightness of watercolor lends itself to airy skies and grazing animals, which are only quickly present. The thin washes allow Janson to capture the light and atmosphere of the scene. The sky is heavy with water, but there's an even heavier sense of expectation – of the coming modernity. Janson's pen work adds definition and detail to the scene, giving the animals weight. Look at how his skillful use of hatching and cross-hatching creates shadows and textures. In Janson's time, paintings like this were collected by wealthy landowners. It showed off their assets. So even a humble watercolor speaks to larger issues of labor, class, and consumption. Ultimately, attention to materials, making, and context enriches our understanding of the artwork.