De jonge stier 1822 - 1845

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this artwork of a young bull using etching. In this pastoral scene, the bull rests under a tree, embodying notions of fertility and strength. The bull motif is a symbol that echoes through time, from the Minoan frescoes of Knossos, where bull-leaping was a sacred rite, to the myth of Europa and the bull, embodying the raw power of nature. Consider also the Golden Calf, where the figure of the bull became associated with idolatry and forbidden desire. This symbol shifts and evolves, reflecting the changing fears and aspirations of humanity. The artist taps into our collective subconscious. The image resonates deeply as an emblem of virility and untamed energy, reminding us of the eternal cycle of life and the powerful forces that shape our existence.