Staande en liggende koe 1810 - 1812

Anthony Oberman etched this image of cows in February 1810. The cow, a symbol deeply rooted in human history, appears here in humble repose, but its echoes resonate far beyond this pastoral scene. Consider the ancient world: the cow was revered in Egypt as a maternal symbol, embodying nourishment and life. The horns, prominently displayed, might remind us of the horned deities of old, symbols of power and fertility. These symbols carry ancestral memories, triggering subconscious associations of abundance and strength. Think of the Golden Calf, a stark warning against misplaced worship, or the myth of Europa, carried away by Zeus in bovine form. Over time, the cow's symbolism has shifted—from sacred divinity to agricultural commodity—yet it retains a primal connection to our agrarian past. Observe how the image taps into a collective memory, reminding us of humanity's enduring relationship with nature and the creatures that sustain us. The cow: a simple form, yet charged with layers of cultural meaning, resurfacing through history in an ever-evolving dance.