Koeien bij een hek c. 1881 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this sketch, ‘Cows near a Fence,’ on paper with graphite, sometime in the mid-19th century. You can see the tooth of the page coming through in the sketch. This work is understated, yet it speaks volumes about Mauve’s artistic practice. Graphite, a relatively humble material, becomes a powerful tool in his hands. The way the artist coaxes form from these earthy materials is interesting; you can almost feel the texture of the cows' hides and the rough-hewn wood of the fence. It demonstrates the artist’s attention to the everyday landscape and the labor of rural life. The drawing is direct, capturing a fleeting moment with a sense of immediacy. Mauve’s choice of materials invites us to reconsider our understanding of artistic skill and the value of seemingly simple subjects. It blurs the line between fine art and the kind of quick studies often associated with craft.