Drie koeien 1793

"Drie Koeien" or "Three Cows" was created by Martin Ferdinand Quadal some time in the late 18th century using etching. Quadal was an Austrian painter and engraver, whose career took him across Europe during a time of significant social and political upheaval. This unassuming image of cattle, rendered in delicate lines, reflects a cultural interest in agrarian life. This interest was spurred by Enlightenment philosophies that celebrated the natural world and the virtues of rural existence. Yet, this idealization often overlooked the socio-economic realities of agricultural labor and land ownership. Cows, of course, have always been linked to ideas of domesticity. They provided nourishment and were a central part of the family economy. However, in this setting, the cows also emerge as silent witnesses to the changing landscapes of Europe. Quadal’s etching invites us to consider the relationship between humans, animals, and the land, revealing layers of meaning beyond its pastoral facade.