Title page for "Diverses vaches et boeufs" after Paulus Potter 1650 - 1690

Marcus de Bye created this title page for "Diverses vaches et boeufs" after Paulus Potter, using etching techniques. The dominant motif, the cow, emerges partially from behind a wall. Cattle, especially cows, have ancient ties to fertility, nourishment, and power. Consider the Egyptian goddess Hathor, often depicted as a cow, embodying motherhood and abundance. Here, however, the cow's obscured presence evokes a sense of mystery. This recalls the motif of animals hidden in plain sight, a visual game found in Roman frescoes and Renaissance tapestries. This symbolic reticence sparks a unique psychological engagement. We are drawn to uncover, to complete the image, tapping into our primal instinct to understand and control our environment. The partial appearance of the cow evokes a deeper, almost subconscious recognition of nature's latent power. The symbol resurfaces and transforms across time, revealing our cyclical relationship with the natural world.