Gezicht op een kudde koeien before 1900

This is a photograph of cows by Hildegard Lehnert. The cows, symbols of nurture and plenty, traverse a path lined with trees, creating a harmonious blend of nature and domesticity. The motif of cattle in art echoes through time, from ancient Egyptian depictions of sacred cows to pastoral scenes of the Renaissance. Consider the classical myth of Io, transformed into a heifer. Or, the Dutch Golden Age landscapes where cows embody the nation’s prosperity. Each era imbues the animal with its own cultural and psychological weight. The collective memory of the cow as a provider shapes our perception, yet, as societies evolve, so too does the symbolic meaning of the animal. The procession of cows engages us on a deep, subconscious level, inviting reflection on our relationship with nature. This is an image that resurfaces, evolving and taking on new meanings, in each historical context.