Koeien in een weiland 1834 - 1903

This drawing of cows in a meadow, by Johan Hendrik Weissenbruch, captures more than just a pastoral scene. It speaks to a deep, ancestral connection between humanity and the natural world. Note the humble cow. Across cultures, bovine figures appear. From the ancient Egyptian veneration of Hathor, the cow-goddess of fertility and motherhood, to the sacred status of cows in Hinduism, these animals have long symbolized nourishment and life-giving abundance. But the depiction here is quite removed from such lofty symbolism. Weissenbruch strips away the divine and presents the cow in its most elemental form, grazing in a field. Weissenbruch evokes a primordial bond, tapping into collective memories of agrarian life. This humble scene resonates with a longing for a simpler, more grounded existence. It reflects our subconscious yearning for connection with nature. Thus, Weissenbruch reminds us that even in the simplest sketch, echoes of ancient beliefs and primal emotions persist.