A Cow 1848 - 1858

Charles Jacque’s etching, A Cow, is a small but evocative window into 19th-century rural life. Living through a time of significant social change, Jacque, like many artists of his era, found solace and authenticity in the representation of rural life. Jacque’s intimate portrayal of the cow isn't just a depiction; it suggests a relationship. The cow rendered with such detail and care, becomes an individual rather than a symbol of pastoral life. The cow stands, burdened by its swollen udders, as it waits to be relieved of the painful pressure. The work speaks to labor, gender, and class, echoing the lives of those, both human and animal, who toiled in the fields. Jacque challenges the romanticized notions of the countryside, emphasizing labor and the dignity of the animals. By focusing on the cow’s individuality, Jacque invites us to reflect on the interwoven histories of humans and animals, labor and nature, challenging conventional narratives of progress and modernity.