Melkbocht aan de Schie c. 1889

Willem Roelofs created this artwork, "Melkbocht aan de Schie," using pen in gray in an unknown year. The painting’s dominant motif, cows, carries a strong presence rooted in Dutch culture. Cows, often seen as symbols of prosperity and rural stability, take us back to ancient times. In many cultures, the cow is not merely livestock but a symbol of nourishment and maternal power. Reflect on how the image of the cow, deeply embedded in our collective psyche, resurfaces across eras. Consider the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor, often depicted with bovine features, embodying fertility and nurturing. This reverence echoes through the ages, finding its way into pastoral landscapes like this one, where the presence of cows evokes a sense of peace, continuity, and a connection to the earth. They reflect our deepest longing for a return to simpler, agrarian roots. This symbol has shifted and evolved, retaining its primal emotional resonance.