Drinkende koe 1792 - 1810

Wouter Johannes van Troostwijk etched this ‘Drinkende koe’ around the turn of the 19th century. The image of the drinking cow presents us with an enduring symbol of nourishment and pastoral tranquility, yet its simplicity belies a deeper connection to primal human experiences. Consider the act of drinking itself, a fundamental gesture of survival that links us to all living creatures. From ancient Egyptian depictions of cattle nourishing communities to the mythical cow Audhumla in Norse cosmology, the cow has long symbolized sustenance and the nurturing power of nature. One cannot help but recall the tale of Europa and the Bull, where a similar bovine form becomes the vehicle for transformation and cultural exchange. In this unassuming etching, Troostwijk taps into the collective memory, evoking not only the bucolic ideal but also the deeper, subconscious associations with life, sustenance, and transformation. The humble cow transcends its immediate context, becoming a vessel for our shared human experience.