Kuh (studie) 1890

Eugène Burnand captured this cow, named Kuh, in a study that gives us a glimpse into the cultural values of his time. Burnand, living in a rapidly industrializing world, often turned to rural subjects. His choice to portray farm animals reflects a nostalgia for agrarian life, a life increasingly romanticized as modernity took hold. What does it mean to dignify a dairy cow with an artistic study? It highlights the shifting values of labor and nature in a changing society. The cow, a symbol of nourishment and pastoral simplicity, carries complex cultural weight. Consider the historical roles of women in agriculture, or the class distinctions tied to land ownership. Burnand's work invites us to consider how these social hierarchies intersect with our understanding of the natural world. It also asks us to reflect on our relationship with animals and the food we consume.