Five studies of cows 1624

Editor: We're looking at "Five Studies of Cows" by Jacob Jordaens, painted in 1624, using oil paints. They're just, well, cows! I find the earthy tones very grounding. What do you see in this piece beyond just farm animals? Curator: Beyond the immediate realism, consider the context. Jordaens was working in a 17th-century Flemish society deeply impacted by agricultural cycles and land ownership. These aren’t just cows; they're potent symbols. How were women linked to agricultural cycles at this time, for example? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that connection. You mean like, representations of fertility? Are you saying that these paintings could serve a social purpose, maybe related to land rights and production? Curator: Absolutely. Look at how Jordaens renders their bulk, their placidity. This could be interpreted as the grounded, sustainable role of agriculture in society, which was a male-dominated domain despite women's contributions. In that respect, this isn't a flattering image of domesticity as cows were primarily handled by women. It has implications related to gender and labor. Does this add new significance to your appreciation? Editor: It does! I had looked at this through purely aesthetic enjoyment, but thinking of them in relation to land, power and maybe even women's work complicates things! It also becomes more contemporary. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! This painting functions both as a visual record and a social document; the personal is always political! This informs its reading as a symbolic object too. Editor: This piece shows there’s so much more depth within the subject matter, particularly when the lives and works of marginalised groups become central to your study of the artwork.