Cow Lowing over a Fence c. 1845 - 1865

Christophe Fratin created this bronze relief sculpture of a cow around the mid-19th century. The somber palette and textured surface give the work a sense of depth and mass, despite its relatively small scale. We see a cow positioned behind a low fence, its form powerfully modeled. The composition, framed by an ornate border, creates a stage for the animal’s presence. Fratin’s choice of bronze and his meticulous attention to the musculature and posture of the cow serve to elevate what might otherwise be a simple farmyard scene. The cow, a symbol often associated with pastoral life, is presented with a kind of noble realism. The artist seems interested in how the natural world can be captured through careful observation. The varying textures within the bronze—smooth in some areas, rough in others—highlight the materiality of the medium itself. Consider how Fratin uses this interplay of form and texture to evoke a sense of the animal's vitality and its connection to the earth. This sculpture invites us to reflect on how art transforms our perception of everyday subjects.