Studier af køer 1831 - 1852

Editor: Here we have Dankvart Dreyer's "Studies of Cows," dating from 1831 to 1852. It's a pencil and ink drawing currently held at the SMK. The loose lines give it a very calm and pastoral feeling. What stands out to you about this work? Curator: For me, it's crucial to think about these cows in the context of 19th-century Denmark. They are part of a larger economic and social structure, intrinsically linked to agriculture and land ownership. Consider the implications of representing farm animals during a time of significant social and economic change. Were they portrayed as docile, owned, or were there subtle assertions of dignity and independence within their depictions? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It makes me wonder if Dreyer's decision to focus on studies—multiple sketches—reflects a changing relationship with nature. Almost like he's trying to understand these animals. Curator: Precisely. Think about who had the privilege to create art. Did artists reinforce existing social hierarchies, or did they question them, maybe even subconsciously, by focusing on marginalized subjects? How does representing them through these humble mediums play into that narrative? The very act of depicting cows could be read as either a confirmation of rural idyll or perhaps a subversive act of elevating the everyday. Editor: It’s so interesting how a simple drawing of cows can open up questions of class and ownership. I’ll never look at farm animal art the same way again. Curator: It’s important to consider what narratives art either reinforces or tries to dismantle and that this kind of image isn't divorced from the economic landscape it comes from. Perhaps seeing these studies makes us aware of how we consume and how animals become commodities, too. Editor: I am so glad that I asked you about this artwork; thank you so much.