Hongerige wolven overvallen een groep ruiters c. 1826 - 1836

Eugène Verboeckhoven captured this drawing titled 'Hungry Wolves Attacking a Group of Riders' using graphite. The image is dominated by the chaotic scene of wolves attacking a group of riders and their horses. The snarling wolves, symbols of primal hunger and danger, contrast sharply with the vulnerable riders. The image is reminiscent of the classical motif of the "animal combat," seen in ancient art, where wild beasts challenge human order. This motif transcends time, appearing in various guises, from Roman gladiatorial contests to medieval tapestries depicting hunts. Here, the riders' struggle evokes a visceral emotional response. This scene is a powerful reminder of our primal fears and anxieties. The cycle continues as artists, consciously or unconsciously, tap into this collective memory. This drawing reminds us that these primal struggles, like the images that depict them, are perpetually reborn.