Koe in een stal before 1870

Joseph Zephyris Gengembre captured this cow in lithograph, a technique that allows for a soft, almost dreamlike quality. At first glance, a simple barnyard scene, yet the cow, an ancient symbol, resonates deeply within our collective memory. Cows were revered as symbols of fertility and nourishment, stretching back to ancient Egypt and India where they embodied maternal power. Here, the cow stands placidly, yet the artist's meticulous detail transforms her into an icon. Note how this contrasts with the bull in ancient Minoan culture, where it represented virility and untamed power. Over time, the cow became associated with the more nurturing aspects of nature, embodying a gentler strength. The presence of this image speaks to a primal connection. It reminds us that even in the heart of modernity, ancient symbols persist, resurfacing in our art and engaging us on a subconscious level.