Twee paarden en een koe bij een houten hek c. 1862 - 1864

This sketch by Johannes Tavenraat depicts two horses and a cow behind a wooden fence. The presence of farm animals is a recurring motif throughout art history. The horse, often a symbol of power and virility, appears here in a more subdued, pastoral context. It is a domesticated beast, a partner to man, far removed from the wild steeds of antiquity. Similarly, the cow, a universal symbol of nourishment and motherhood, is placed behind a fence, hinting at man's dominion over nature. Consider how ancient cultures revered the bull, associating it with fertility and strength. Over time, the symbol of the bull transitioned into the domesticated cow, reflecting a shift from primal power to agrarian sustenance. This transition encapsulates a broader human narrative of adapting and reshaping the natural world to suit our needs. Such imagery taps into our collective memory, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a simpler, more connected existence.