The cow has long held a special significance for mankind, witnessed already in prehistoric cave paintings and in many Asian religions. The Greek mythology underlying our Western culture likewise contains many references to this symbol-laden animal.
Ursula Böhmer addresses the mythical nature of the cow in a unique and unusual project. Between 1998 and 2011 she travelled through 25 European countries to portray these strong and yet also docile animals. She photographed various breeds, many of them threatened with extinction, on their native terrain, where different climates have molded their physiognomy. The result is however by no means a catalog or systematic study. Böhmer instead depicts the cows as subjects in a communicative process centering on the exchange of glances between animal and human. With over 70 black and white photographs as well as a glossary on the origins and special features of the 50 different breeds portrayed, "All Ladies" displays the diversity of agrarian cultures while also calling to mind Europe’s shared cultural history.
The Aachen-born photographer (*1965) has been living and working in Berlin since 1966 and has already presented her project in numerous exhibitions in Germany and other European countries.

Authors: Gabriele Conrath-Scholl, Hans-Hinrich Sambraus
Artists: Ursula Böhmer

Designed by Ursula Böhmer
Hardcover
24.5 x 26.8 cm
128 pages
80 duotone ills
German/English
temporarily not availble
ISBN 978-3-86828-334-1
39,90 Euro
2012