Cowherd with cow and calf on a hillside, the cowherd viewed from behind and seated in the grass, the cow standing and facing the recumbent calf, a village beyond 1658

Karel Dujardin etched this scene of a cowherd with his animals in the 17th century. The cow, a symbol of nourishment and the maternal, stands protectively over her calf. Consider how this echoes depictions of maternal figures across cultures. From ancient fertility goddesses, like the Egyptian Hathor often depicted as a cow, to the Virgin Mary, these images tap into our collective memory of nurturing and care. Even the simple act of gazing upon this pastoral scene evokes a primordial sense of tranquility and connection to nature. Yet, this pastoral ideal is not static. While the cow symbolizes abundance, its presence also raises questions about humanity's relationship with nature: Are we stewards, or exploiters? Such questions have resurfaced throughout history, each time colored by the anxieties and aspirations of the age. This deceptively simple scene is laden with layers of meaning, engaging us on a deeply human level.