Baljuw laat de koe wegvoeren 1619

This pen and brown ink drawing, by Willem Pietersz. Buytewech, depicts a bailiff leading away a cow. The cow, often seen as a symbol of nourishment and agricultural wealth, is here, a focal point of economic or punitive action. The motif of livestock confiscation echoes through history, appearing in legal and social contexts across cultures. Consider the parallel with ancient Roman tax collections, or even biblical scenes of sacrifice and atonement, where livestock plays a central role. This image taps into our collective memory of agrarian life and the inherent vulnerabilities tied to it. The act of taking away a farmer’s livelihood can be seen as a primal form of social control, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The cow—a figure so central to life—becomes a symbol of loss, engaging collective and historical memory in a powerful way. It is a stark illustration of power dynamics and the precarious nature of sustenance.