Beautiful Bovines in Constance

Leica Gallery Constance presents a long-term project by German photography artist Ursula Böhmer. The showcase, titled ‘The Cow – A Field Investigation’, continues until February 15, 2020.

Since the late 1990s, Berlin-based artist Ursula Böhmer has been photographing endangered cattle breeds across Europe – with striking breed names such as Barrosã, Piedmontese, Valdostana, Avileña or Prespa. Her core concept is based on the aim “to enter into a silent dialogue with the portrayed animals, and let their reciprocating gaze inspire us to ponder what it is to be human”.

The expressive gaze of a cow, captured almost in passing in 1987, was what initially prompted this long-term fascination with the bovine species. The artist approaches her four-legged subjects with the utmost respect, depicting them in a dignified, almost majestic manner. Her images – created exclusively with analogue equipment and processing methods – are characterised by straightforward techniques and neutral light. The results are serene, authentic portraits in which the animals calmly stand in front of the camera, their gentle eyes trained on the photographer with contemplative curiosity.

The corresponding photobook „All Ladies“ has been published by Kehrer in 2012.

For further details visit Leica Gallery Constance.