Twee koeien in een landschap
1750 - 1809
Medium
pen
Dimensions
102; 144
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
height 102 mm x width 144 mm
Art Historical Context
"Twee koeien in een landschap" is a charming pen drawing by David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin, created sometime between 1750 and 1809. At just 102 by 144 millimeters, the work’s intimate scale encourages viewers to linger over its details. The composition centers on two cows set within a simple rural landscape, rendered with economical yet expressive lines that capture both the animals’ forms and the surrounding terrain. Pen as a medium was prized in the eighteenth century for its precision and immediacy, allowing artists to record observations from nature with clarity and spontaneity. Such modest drawings often functioned as personal studies or preparatory works, reflecting the period’s growing appreciation for pastoral subjects and the quiet beauty of everyday rural life. Despite its small size, the drawing conveys a sense of calm and harmony with the natural world, inviting modern visitors to appreciate the enduring appeal of these unpretentious scenes.
About the Artist
David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin · 1740–1809
Baron David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin (1740–1809) was a Swiss draughtsman and painter who combined artistic pursuits with diplomatic service, spending significant portions of his life in Paris while serving as secretary to the Prussian ambassador. Born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 1740, Sandoz-Rollin pursued the dual career of diplomat and artist that was not uncommon among educated European elit...