Staande koe, naar links 1775 - 1851

This is a drawing by Pieter Janson, made with pen in the late 18th or early 19th century, which depicts a standing cow in a field. The figure of the cow, in its simplicity, resonates with a history stretching back to ancient times. Cows were once symbols of nourishment and fertility. Think back to the Egyptian goddess Hathor, often depicted with bovine features, embodying motherhood and abundance. Over time, this connection has shifted, yet the primal link to sustenance remains. In our collective memory, the image of the cow evokes feelings of pastoral life. Even in a seemingly straightforward sketch, the symbols of our shared human experience persist, subtly shaping our emotional connection to the artwork. We see here not just a cow, but an echo of ancient archetypes.