Cow by Anonymous

Artwork details

Medium
print, engraving
Dimensions
plate: 14.2 x 17.1 cm (5 9/16 x 6 3/4 in.) sheet: 14.5 x 17.5 cm (5 11/16 x 6 7/8 in.)
Copyright
National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

Tags

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print

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old engraving style

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landscape

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pencil drawing

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engraving

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realism

About this artwork

This print captures a cow in a pastoral setting, rendered with an attention to detail. The cow, as a symbol, carries a heavy load of cultural meaning, from ancient fertility cults to its role as a provider of sustenance. But look closely—aren't you reminded of Io, the mythological figure transformed into a heifer? The story of Io resonates with this image, a symbol of transformation, watching, and silent suffering, all while under the gaze of Argus. Even in our seemingly secular age, this classical echo persists. The enduring motif of the cow transcends mere livestock; it is a mirror reflecting humanity’s complex relationship with nature, power, and transformation. It has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.

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