Studieblad met staande en liggende runderen 1788 - 1839

Hendrik Voogd made this study sheet with standing and lying cattle using pen in brown and black, over graphite, around the late 18th to early 19th century, when the Dutch countryside was a source of national pride and identity. Voogd, who spent much of his career in Italy, was deeply influenced by the pastoral landscapes of the Roman Campagna. During this time, the image of cattle became a powerful symbol, evoking ideas of rural simplicity, agrarian life, and the Dutch national character. Note how Voogd’s seemingly simple sketches maintain traditional representations of animals as symbols of national identity. In his studies, the cattle are not merely livestock, but stand-ins for broader cultural values. Although seemingly bucolic, these images were often imbued with complex social meanings, reflecting the political and economic interests of the Dutch elite. Consider how art can reinforce or subtly question prevailing cultural narratives.