Unter einem Baum ein Bauer bei zwei Kühen 1777

Bernhard Heinrich Thier rendered this drawing of a farmer and two cows with pen and grey ink. The symbolism of cattle extends back to ancient times, representing nourishment, fertility, and strength. Consider the sacred cow in ancient Egypt, embodying the nurturing goddess Hathor, an archetype of motherhood and abundance. This reverence for cattle echoes through cultures and reappears in the Biblical story of the Golden Calf, where it transformed into a symbol of idolatry, marking a departure from divine law. The figure of the cow is not static; it evolves. In our subconscious, the cow may conjure feelings of pastoral harmony but also primal, instinctual drives. Here, Thier perhaps captures a longing for a simpler existence. This cyclical progression is a testament to the enduring power of symbols, their capacity to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings throughout history.