Landschap met koeien c. 1806 - 1876

Job Augustus Bakker created this drawing, "Landschap met koeien," with pen in the Netherlands. In this period, the Netherlands experienced significant agricultural change. As land reforms and new farming techniques increased productivity, artists like Bakker began to depict rural life with a fresh perspective. His choice of subject matter, cows in a pasture, reflects a growing interest in the Dutch countryside. The image embodies a sense of pastoral harmony, with grazing cows peacefully coexisting with nature. This connects to the cultural movement of Romanticism, which idealized nature and rural life as an escape from the increasing industrialization. Analyzing Bakker’s work requires considering the social conditions that shaped artistic production. The Rijksmuseum's collection can be used to better understand the artistic norms of the time. This drawing offers a glimpse into the evolving relationship between humans and nature in the Netherlands and reflects the values of a society undergoing profound change.