Liggende koe bij een schutting 1798 - 1848

This is an etching of a "Liggende koe bij een schutting" (a "Reclining cow by a fence") whose author is anonymous. This image encapsulates the pastoral ideal, a romanticized view of rural life that often glosses over the socio-economic realities of agricultural labor. Consider the historical context in which agrarian societies often rely on the labor of marginalized groups, including women and peasants. Cows, like the one depicted here, were not merely livestock but symbols of wealth, sustenance, and even feminine fertility. In many cultures, cows are deeply interwoven with the fabric of daily life and ritual, and the depiction of a reclining cow may evoke a sense of tranquility. This invites us to reflect on the relationship between humans and animals, and how this relationship is constructed through cultural narratives and economic imperatives.