Studies of Cows 

Curator: Here we have Robert Hills' "Studies of Cows," part of the Tate Collections. It's a watercolor and graphite work on paper. I find its quietude so striking. Editor: Yes, a restful image! They're like pale ghosts emerging from the mist. It makes me think of ancient symbols of prosperity. Curator: Indeed! Cows have long embodied abundance and nurturing in many cultures. This sheet of studies feels almost like a meditation on that symbolism. Editor: And the repetition amplifies it, doesn’t it? It's like a visual mantra. He really captures their heft and gentleness with such economy of line. Curator: Hills was clearly attentive to the pastoral tradition, where cattle are often idealized as emblems of rural harmony. Editor: I'm left contemplating the enduring connection between humanity and these creatures, and the layered meanings we project onto them. Curator: A fitting thought on which to end. Hills' tender studies offer a wealth of cultural and personal reflection. Editor: They certainly do. Each brushstroke feels like a whisper from a simpler, bucolic past.