Two Cows 

John Linnell sketched these two cows with ink, during the 19th century. The animal figure—particularly the cow— carries a long symbolic tradition through cultures and religions as a symbol of nourishment, motherhood, and strength. Consider how the powerful bull of ancient Crete became the docile cow of the English countryside; from representing raw masculine power to the gentle symbol of pastoral life. This metamorphosis tells us of how we constantly reshape the symbols that inhabit our collective memory. Even the way Linnell depicts these creatures, with bold, blurred lines, evokes a dreamlike image, a scene half-remembered. These cows echo through time, evolving, yet always carrying the weight of their ancient symbolism. In viewing this simple sketch, we find ourselves strangely connected to the deep, ever-changing currents of human culture and history.