Weiland met een paard en twee koeien 1839 - 1915

Cornelis Albertus Johannes Schermer created this print of a pasture with a horse and two cows. Schermer was active in the second half of the 19th century, a time when Europe saw significant transformations in agriculture and land use. This etching depicts a rural scene, reflecting the Netherlands' deep connection to its agricultural roots. There is a sense of the pastoral idyll, yet it also hints at the economic realities of the time. The animals, central to agrarian life, stand quietly as if posing for the viewer, and it is tempting to see them as figures in a rural narrative. What is the relationship between the farmer and the animals that are central to his livelihood? The print's modest scale and muted tones evoke a sense of intimacy. It invites us to reflect on the changing roles of rural communities and their relationship to the land during a period of profound social and economic change. How does this artwork contribute to or challenge existing depictions of rural life and labor?