Cheese and Where it Comes From 

Don Ivan Punchatz's illustration, "Cheese and Where it Comes From," presents us with a tableau of agrarian abundance. The bucolic background features a barn, a cow, and lush foliage, symbols of pastoral life and agricultural prosperity. The cheeses themselves are arranged almost as trophies, emblems of human ingenuity. These shapes, arranged in a geometrical way, remind us of the connection between human intellect and the natural world. Think about it: the Swiss cheese wedge mirrors the triangle, an elementary shape we see repeatedly across various contexts. This geometric cheese reappears in Dutch still lifes and even in modern advertising, evolving from a symbol of sustenance to one of consumer culture. Punchatz's cheese is not just food; it is a nexus of cultural memory, connecting us to centuries of agrarian life and human innovation. The image evokes a deep, almost subconscious, satisfaction, reminding us of simpler, perhaps idealized times. Thus, the narrative of cheese transcends mere culinary interest. The motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.