Grazende runderen, landschap met een hooiwagen en een boerin met een kind op de rug 1869

This watercolor artwork presents a pastoral scene by Johannes Tavenraat, dating from the 19th century. Here, the image of grazing cattle evokes a sense of peace but also calls forth something more. Cattle, throughout history, symbolize nourishment, wealth, and primitive power. We see it mirrored in ancient Egyptian depictions of sacred cows or in the myth of Europa and the bull. A mother carrying her child recurs across cultures, representing care, protection, and the continuation of life. Think of the Madonna and Child, which then evolves into secular imagery of maternal bonds. What does this tell us of the collective psyche? These symbols resonate because they tap into fundamental human experiences. The image becomes a powerful emblem of our connection to nature, to family, and to the deep-seated emotions that bind us across time.