Standing cow to the left 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt captured this standing cow in a simple drawing at an unknown date. The cow, a symbol of nourishment and patience, resonates deeply within our collective memory. Its image has journeyed through time, echoing in ancient Minoan frescoes where bulls leap in ritual, or in the Egyptian goddess Hathor, often depicted with bovine features, embodying motherhood and abundance. Yet, this seemingly docile creature is also charged with primal power, as seen in the myth of the Minotaur, a monstrous being symbolizing the untamed aspects of human nature. Consider how the artist, perhaps unconsciously, taps into this reservoir of associations, presenting the cow in its serene stillness. The image evokes a quiet strength, a sense of groundedness. This seemingly simple depiction subtly engages our subconscious, connecting us to layers of cultural and psychological significance. The cow motif, therefore, progresses non-linearly, surfacing in diverse guises across history, each iteration layering new meaning onto its ancient form.