Cow is a print featuring a close-up image of a cow in vivid pink and purple hues. Described by Warhol’s dealer as "blazingly bright," this work exemplifies Warhol’s diverse and constantly evolving subject matter.
Although it may seem unconventional at first, Warhol’s Cow draws on a rich tradition of classical imagery, where cows have been depicted in Renaissance and academic art. Here, Warhol offers a contemporary twist with a psychedelic colour palette that embodies the spirit of the 1960s and 1970s. Just as he elevated iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor to the realm of high art, Warhol assigns the same level of prominence to the ordinary farm animal. This approach imbues the portrait with a playful and whimsical character, subverting expectations of an artist known primarily for his celebrity-focused works.