Ebony & ivory

The monochrome pattern of cowhide is perhaps the most instantly recognisable pattern of the animal kingdom. Black and brown blotches contrast with milky white fur in a jigsaw fashion that forms a pattern ubiquitous in farmyards, hillsides and even fashion and design the world over. But cattle also come in all shades and sizes, from the horned bull to the trained brown ox to the black Aberdeen Angus. Find the right bovine poster for you in our selection of cow art.

Holy cow

According to the Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata, we should treat cows with the same respect as our mums. Indeed, the divine status of cows has become a symbol of Hindu identity; their slaughter illegal in several Indian states.

It’s not hard to see why. Cows are the lifeblood of agriculture. Their milk nourishes us, their ploughing power cultivates fields, their dung provides nutrients for soil and plants, and can even be used as fuel. They are an animal of utility to outflank even horses: strong, dependable, reliable.

Two’s company, three’s a herd

Cows love company. Even being separated from the herd for just a little while makes them stressed and agitated. We don’t call people moody cows for nothing, after all. But a happy cow’s a useful cow. When sad, they release a stress hormone which stops milk production. Studies have even shown that females with names produce more milk.

But another important benefit is the safety of farmers. They're killers, after all, claiming more lives a year than sharks. To avoid loneliness, farmers sometimes hang mirrors to reduce stress. Feeling tense? Why not hang a cow poster.