Liggende koe c. 1900

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita created this stark woodcut, titled ‘Liggende Koe’ or ‘Reclining Cow’, sometime before his tragic death in 1944. De Mesquita, a Dutch-Jewish artist, was deeply impacted by the cultural and political climate of the early 20th century, including the rise of fascism and increasing antisemitism in Europe. Here we see how the artist uses the stark contrast between light and shadow to create a compelling image that evokes a sense of both calm and confinement. The reclining cow, a symbol of pastoral life, is rendered in a way that suggests a certain vulnerability. De Mesquita’s identity as a Sephardic Jew shaped his artistic perspective. Tragically, in 1944, De Mesquita and his family were deported to Auschwitz, where he was murdered. Understanding the historical context of De Mesquita's life brings an emotional weight to this seemingly simple depiction of a cow. It serves as a reminder of the personal tragedies that occurred during the Holocaust.