Zomer 1617 - 1634

This engraving by Magdalena van de Passe, titled “Zomer”, presents a scene brimming with symbols of summer's abundance. The ripe crops, the figures engaged in agricultural tasks, and the robust cow all speak to the season's fecundity. Consider the figure of the cow. Throughout history, the cow appears as a symbol of nourishment and maternal strength. From ancient Egyptian depictions of Hathor, the cow-goddess of fertility and motherhood, to its recurrence in various agricultural traditions, the cow embodies life-sustaining power. Yet, the meaning of the cow is not fixed. As cultures evolve, so too does the cow’s symbolic weight, taking on new associations with wealth, prosperity, and the pastoral ideal. Here, in van de Passe's engraving, the cow stands not merely as livestock, but as a potent emblem of summer's promise. This visual echoes through centuries, reminding us of humanity's enduring connection with the earth.