Koe wordt gemolken 1763 - 1804

Johann Friedrich Gottlieb Unger created this tiny etching, “Koe wordt gemolken,” which translates to “Cow being milked,” sometime before his death in 1804. This intimate portrayal of agrarian life offers a window into the socio-economic structures of late 18th-century Europe. In the etching, we see two women engaged in the labor-intensive process of milking a cow, a scene that speaks to the vital role of women in agricultural production. Made in Germany during a period of significant social and political upheaval, Unger's choice of subject reflects a broader interest in rural life and labor, particularly as idealized in contrast to the growing urbanization of Europe. His work invites us to consider the ways in which art both reflects and shapes our understanding of labor, gender roles, and the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. By consulting period documents, agricultural manuals, and social histories, we gain a better understanding of this world and the artist's perspective on it.