Pelicans 1877 - 1880

Here we see Paul Cézanne’s sketch of pelicans, quickly rendered in pencil. The pelican, a bird with a pouch, becomes a vessel, evoking the Christian symbol of sacrifice and nurturing. In medieval bestiaries, the pelican was believed to pierce its own breast to feed its young with its blood, a direct parallel to Christ's sacrifice. This act of self-giving resonates deeply with the Mater Dolorosa motif, where the Virgin Mary offers her maternal love amidst sorrow. But even earlier, this symbol existed in ancient Egyptian art, representing resurrection and eternal life. Centuries later, the pelican reappears, not always with its sacred meaning intact, yet still carrying a residue of its past. The symbol's evolution from religious iconography to a mere decorative motif illustrates the cyclical nature of cultural memory. The sketch form lends itself to that sense of constant evolution.