Liggende koe bij een hek 1650 - 1700

This etching, titled Liggende koe bij een hek, or "Lying cow by a fence," is by an anonymous artist. The serene depiction of livestock reflects the deep economic and cultural connections between the Dutch and their agricultural practices. Cows, in particular, were not only sources of sustenance but also symbols of prosperity and national identity. Consider the way the artist captures the weight and weariness of the animal. Is this cow simply resting, or does its posture suggest something more profound about the labor and life it represents? The inclusion of the fence subtly speaks to notions of land ownership and the careful cultivation of the Dutch landscape. Through this intimate portrayal, the artist invites us to reflect on our relationship with nature, labor, and the values we assign to the creatures within our ecosystem. It's a quiet, reflective piece, asking us to consider the untold stories behind the pastoral scenes that often romanticize rural life.