Koekop 1813

This drawing of a ‘Koekop’ or cow’s head was created by Diederik Jan Singendonck around the late 18th or early 19th century. The cow, seemingly simple, bears the weight of centuries. In ancient Egypt, the cow was revered as a symbol of motherhood and nourishment, embodying the goddess Hathor. The prominent horns, reminiscent of a crescent moon, link the animal to lunar cycles and feminine power. Across cultures, the image of the cow has morphed, sometimes representing fertility, at other times, abundance. Think of the Greek myth of Europa, carried away by Zeus in the form of a bull. The persistent reappearance of the bovine form echoes a collective memory, a subconscious connection to nature's bounty and our primal reliance on its provision. This humble cow’s head invokes feelings of nostalgia, reminding us of humanity’s enduring bond with the animal world. The image is a node in a network, continuously evolving and reforming itself through time.