Koe en paard 1849

Johannes Tavenraat made this watercolor of a cow, a horse, and two men in the Netherlands in the first half of the 1800s. The image gives us insight into the social and economic structures of the time. We can see the importance of agriculture with the depiction of the cow, but also of status and wealth with the detailed rendering of the horse and man. The Netherlands had a strong agricultural economy and a wealthy merchant class at this time. So Tavenraat’s choice of subject matter reflects the social realities of his day. It presents a view of the rural economy and social hierarchy. The formal style, with its attention to detail and realistic depiction, reinforces the values of the established order. By understanding the social and institutional context of Tavenraat’s work, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its meaning.