https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5475e650e4b0df...
Some of the paintings are quite exaggerated though, probably for the purpose of bragging rights by the patron.
Doing the work myself, as you have, I find that many cows are rectangular. The author is unequipped to dispel me of this notion, if it's incorrect, but could have easily if he had addressed it preemptively by clearly stating his actual thesis. (Unrealism, not rectangleness). (And if he is correct)
While it might be possible to take a photo of a cow that turns out looking spherical (due to the lighting or angle), it is surely going to be harder?
Likewise, there is contrast between how highland cows are represented - from the front "the cows look like they’re posing for an album cover.". They do indeed look like a cow metal band could. They dont look rectangular, they look hairy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorthorn
One of the cows pictured.
https://onpasture.com/2016/07/04/from-big-to-small-to-big-to...
All 3 parts of this are fascinating.
This mirrors what happens with muscle cars, women’s handbags, JavaScript frameworks, and so many other things. The purpose remains ostensibly functional but the real driver is peer group status, to the point that function is totally compromised but the peer group loves it.
You don't want stubby legs because they don't breed as easily.
Breeding animals isn't like technology.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droughtmaster
There is also the aptly named SQUARE MEATER which maintains the rectangular cow aesthetic
Check out this Cambodian lion: https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/a-guardian-lion-281362 The craftsmanship is quite impressive. But it doesn't look anything much like a lion IMHO.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_guardian_lions#Appeara...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_London
"Records of 1210–1212 show payments to lion keepers" - although who was allowed to visit the lions is a different question ...
The question is really, why are cows so relevant to paint? The answer is, the people who could afford to pay a painter were wealthy landowners, and their pride and joy was often purebred cattle. Each picture is some valuable animal, an advertisement if you will.
Alasdair Beckett-King, Cows are hard to draw (especially the corners)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s2_wjUTT-M
(Extract from his stand-up comedy show)
(In which we also learn about the improper shapes of sheep and pigs.)
Edit: ok, reading the comments more accurately (I used not working keywords to check overlappings before posting), there is a link between the two: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42207572
edit : Ah, in fact that painting is in the article at the very end : "A Pair of Pigs Image credit: Compton Verney"
From back when LGR was still reviewing silly games and edutainment games
It never occurred to me to ask why!
I guess I assumed the images were old, and someone wanted to show off that they had a particularly spectacular cow. And the author is right, so many of them are side on and rectangular.
I wonder how many other things in the world that I've ignored as basically wallpaper actually have a backstory...
Space Truckers - Title Scene (Square Pigs):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJtHMe3MltU
"Square pig" prop from Space Truckers:
https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/-squar...
Square Hogs are pigs bred and farmed on Mars:
https://aliens.fandom.com/wiki/Square_Hog
>Square Hogs are merely pigs that have been genetically jacked up and overfed, confined in square cages making them extremely obese and fat.
>The Earth company Inter Pork ship these animals across human space.
> The answer, as best I can find it, seems to be related to the points about status.
> The second is the overly bulgy bit in front of their front legs, the brisket. And, also according to my research, when cattle are judged for competitions or prizes, the brisket is taken into consideration.