The Meadows, Gloucester, New Jersey 1883

Thomas Eakins’ painting presents a pastoral scene of meadows, trees and grazing cattle, a motif resonant with historical echoes. The image of cattle evokes ancient pastoral traditions, linking to an idealised past of harmony between humanity and nature. Across cultures, cattle have been a symbol of nourishment and strength, appearing from the myth of Europa to ancient Egyptian imagery where the cow goddess Hathor represented motherhood. In the Christian tradition, cattle in the Nativity scene symbolize gentleness and provision. The symbolic weight of cattle has changed over time, from sacred animal to economic commodity, yet they still retain traces of their primordial significance. The act of portraying cattle in a landscape is not merely descriptive; it evokes a deep, subconscious connection to the land, memory and life itself. This is an idyllic and deeply human landscape.