1775 - 1833
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Jean Bernard
1765 - 1833Location
RijksmuseumListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
Jean Bernard sketched this "Head of a Cow, Facing Left" with pen and paper, a simple yet evocative portrayal. The cow, an age-old symbol, carries profound weight. In ancient cultures, it stood for nourishment and fertility, embodying life's sustaining force. Think of the Egyptian goddess Hathor, depicted with bovine features, representing motherhood and abundance. Yet, as civilization evolved, the cow's image transformed. No longer solely divine, it became a symbol of pastoral life, a gentle presence in idyllic landscapes. Even today, the cow evokes a powerful sense of connection to nature and simpler times, reminding us of our intrinsic link to the earth and its cycles. This image resonates on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory of humanity’s long relationship with the animal world.