Kalve på Saltholm (udkast til keramisk fad) 1888

Theodor Philipsen sketched "Calves on Saltholm" as a draft for a ceramic plate. The image captures a pastoral scene, with a calf lying down and another standing. Cows, in the art of antiquity, are linked to matriarchal divinities, standing as symbols of fertility and nurture, as seen with Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of motherhood. Yet, in other contexts, consider the tale of Europa and the Bull: Zeus in disguise—an image rife with themes of desire and transformation. Observe the calf's resting pose. This pose echoes classical sculptures of reclining figures. This symbol carries a sense of calm, yet also evokes a deep-seated memory, the image resonates across time, embodying themes of peace, nature, and the quiet strength of maternal symbolism.