Koe 1860 - 1888

Anton Mauve captured this cow in oil with broad strokes, likely in the late 19th century. The presence of the cow, a symbol deeply rooted in human history, echoes across cultures and epochs. Consider the ancient Near East, where the bull was a symbol of virility and power, often associated with deities. This motif resurfaces in the myth of the Minotaur, a creature of monstrous appetite, embodying the primal, untamed aspects of human nature. The cow, its more docile cousin, is often associated with nourishment, maternal care, and the cyclical nature of life. Here, Mauve's cow stands in a field, unassuming yet laden with the weight of symbolic history. The way the artist has rendered it seems to evoke a collective memory. It's a symbol that has been transformed over time to acquire new associations and interpretations in different cultures.