Cow Triptych (Cow Going Abstract) Poster (center panel) 1982

This is the center panel of Roy Lichtenstein's 'Cow Triptych', a screenprint made in 1982. Here, Lichtenstein reduces the familiar image of a cow into fragmented geometric forms. The cow, a symbol of fertility and nourishment throughout history, is broken down into its most basic visual components. This act echoes the ancient artistic impulse to abstract and simplify nature, reminiscent of cave paintings where animals were represented with bold, economical lines. The reduction to essential forms can also be seen in ancient Mycenaean art. The visual transformation of something as universally recognizable as a cow invites us to consider how we perceive and categorize the world around us. It's as if Lichtenstein is peeling back layers of cultural associations, stripping the cow of its sentimental value. This echoes our modern alienation from nature, a psychological separation reflected in the deconstruction of a classical, pastoral symbol. Lichtenstein captures an emotional tension between recognition and abstraction that engages us on a deeper level.