Artwork
Koeien aan een plas
Koeien aan een plas is an oil painting by Cornelis Westerbeek. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Westerbeek’s 1893 oil painting titled *Koeien aan een plas* depicts a tranquil waterside scene. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and presents a modest landscape where three cows stand near a shallow pond, accompanied by a few ducks drifting on the water’s surface.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the interaction between domesticated cattle and the natural environment, suggesting a moment of quiet coexistence. The cows appear unperturbed, their calm posture contrasting with the gentle movement of the ducks, evoking a sense of pastoral serenity and the everyday rhythms of rural life.
Technique & Style
Westerbeek employs a muted palette of soft, blended tones that convey the misty atmosphere of an early‑morning day. Light is diffused across the sky and reflected in the water, while subtle chiaroscuro models the forms of the animals and the tall grasses, creating depth without harsh contrasts.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1893, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its 20th‑century Dutch landscape acquisitions. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s estate, where it remained in private hands before being transferred to the national collection, where it remains on display.
Context
Created during a period when Dutch artists were revisiting rural motifs, *Koeien aan een plas* reflects the broader 19th‑century interest in documenting agrarian scenes with realism and atmospheric nuance. Westerbeek’s work aligns with contemporaneous efforts to capture the quiet dignity of the countryside amid industrial change.
Artist & collection
