Landscape With Cattle Painted By Jans Frans Van Bredael

The first painting that I chose to evaluate was titled Landscape with Cattle painted by Jans Frans Van Bredael in the “Mary Leflore and Richard H. Clements Family Gallery.” To start, the Lewis Axiom that I believe most notably relates to this work of art is Axiom 7: Landscape Location. As stated in our Landscape Packet, landscape location involves the important study of cultural landscape within the geographical context of a given area of land. In Van Bredael’s piece, there is a clear distinction as to what is important in the depicted land region. Judging by the context of the painting, the practices of farming and cattle raising are very prevalent in this specific place. The painting captures a piece of land that is very large in size, and
Whereas, they are exceptionally well-versed in their nonmaterial culture. There is a range of beliefs that are extremely apparent in the way this painting was created. The people tending to the land and animals are all painted in such a way that shows their dedication to their craft, and the people around them. Not only that, but the sheer number of animals in comparison to the humans taking care of them exemplifies how much hard work and commitment is needed to satiate the naturalistic needs of the cattle. Symbolic and perceivably religious meanings of the work they are conducting and life that they are living have been passed down from generation to generation and there is a strong sense of place and pride for these people that most likely could not be understood by anyone that did not reside in this area. I believe that this land region and culture can easily be associated with farm villages, as well. Without the existence of any buildings near the location of this painting, it is safe to say that these farming areas are extremely isolated throughout the land. Especially in the time period that this painting portrays, the ability to communicate with people outside of these farmlands would seemingly be next to impossible. I also believe that there is a sense of delay between the different societies in the painting as well. The society prevalent within the boundaries that the castle encompasses are very entitled to the materialistic view. There is undoubtedly a noticeable difference between the ways of life as well as the technology utilized between the two cultures. This goes to show how bare but also how intricate different cultures can be even being relatively close together. Lastly, population growth of places like the farmland depicted in this painting have seen a very similar pattern throughout history.