Schetsblad met vijf runderen in verschillende standen 1788 - 1839

Curator: Take a look at this compelling drawing from between 1788 and 1839, currently held at the Rijksmuseum: it’s titled "Schetsblad met vijf runderen in verschillende standen," or "Sheet of sketches with five cattle in various poses," created by Hendrik Voogd. What strikes you most? Editor: An artist caught in the act of seeing. It feels incredibly immediate and tender, like catching a glimpse into Voogd’s private thoughts. There's a certain charm in its unrefined state, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Absolutely. It’s executed in pencil on paper, allowing us to consider it as a study in form. These sketches showcase the material constraints, the readily available paper and the humble pencil, as essential tools. It emphasizes the raw artistic labour involved in representing agricultural life. Editor: The cows are so nonchalantly rendered, you know? They're not idealized; they are just... there, existing. He sees their weight, their posture. I feel the stillness of a hot afternoon in a field somewhere, just observing. It feels wonderfully nostalgic somehow. Curator: The drawing shows how Voogd engaged with his surroundings, using these studies to build his visual repertoire, impacting his final compositions. It hints at his potential involvement with the animal economy through which rural communities understood their place. Editor: And aren't we all, in some way, trying to find our place, trying different postures until we find one that fits, feels natural? He captures their being observed beautifully. And as the sketches are incomplete they capture this stage perfectly! Curator: I concur; the appeal certainly extends to understanding the conditions of its production, revealing artistic engagement with natural forms in 18th and 19th-century Dutch society. It connects artistic practice directly to the broader social realities. Editor: Yes. What I initially perceived as nostalgia then opens to questions about presence. It brings us closer to both Voogd's artistic experience, and the reality of the cows represented, while also being a gentle whisper to reflect. Curator: So, examining Voogd’s work opens dialogues about labor, artistic development, and social contexts, giving the art historical value to its production of work. Editor: Indeed! These cows encourage to observe closely while gently nudging us to wander. Thanks Voogd.