Staande stier 1798 - 1848

This undated etching presents us with a 'Standing Bull,' its creator remaining anonymous. The bull is a profound symbol, deeply rooted in the human psyche. From the Cretan Minotaur to the Golden Calf of biblical lore, it embodies primal power, fertility, and untamed virility. I am reminded of the Lascaux cave paintings, where the bull appears as a dominant force, a sacred animal imbued with life-giving energy. Yet, observe how the bull evolved in meaning across cultures. In ancient Egypt, it was revered as Apis, a symbol of divine strength, while in Rome, bull sacrifices appeased the gods. In contemporary art, Picasso's bull in 'Guernica' metamorphoses into a representation of brutality and suffering. The image of the bull, like a restless spirit, returns again and again, each time reshaped by the currents of history and the depths of our collective memory. Its symbolism is cyclical, reflecting our own perpetual struggle to understand the forces that drive us.