Twee koeien van achteren gezien 1650 - 1700

This etching at the Rijksmuseum, "Twee koeien van achteren gezien", presents us with a seemingly simple scene: two cows in a pasture. Yet, within this image lies a wealth of cultural memory. The cow itself, throughout history, has served as a potent symbol of nourishment, fertility, and prosperity. Think of ancient Egypt, where the cow goddess Hathor was revered, or the sacred cows of India, embodying life-giving abundance. Here, the anonymous artist presents the cows from behind, inviting the viewer to contemplate the animal's bulk, its presence in the landscape. It's as if we are drawn into the scene, becoming part of the rural setting. This compositional choice is not unique; we find echoes of it in pastoral scenes across various periods, each subtly imbuing the animal with layers of meaning, from simple agrarian life to deeper notions of nature's bounty and our connection to it. The image taps into our collective unconscious, reminding us of simpler times and the fundamental relationship between humans and nature. It’s a scene that resonates with a sense of timelessness, a reminder of the enduring power of archetypal images.