Summer day 

Volodymyr Orlovsky painted this “Summer Day” without a specific date, capturing a timeless moment of pastoral life. The humble cows resting in the foreground are potent symbols, laden with historical weight. Consider how bovine imagery stretches back to ancient Minoan culture, where the bull embodied virility and power. These associations morphed over time; in agrarian societies, cattle became synonymous with sustenance, prosperity, and the nurturing aspects of nature itself. Observe how Orlovsky positions these creatures: they are not idealized beasts of burden but peaceful inhabitants, blending seamlessly into the verdant landscape. This evokes a sense of harmony, suggesting a return to simpler, more authentic existence. The enduring presence of cattle across millennia reveals a deep-seated human connection to the natural world, a connection that continues to resonate within our collective unconscious, urging us toward a bucolic ideal, no matter how elusive.