De balkende ezel 1630 - 1648

Cornelis de Wael etched "The Braying Donkey" in the 17th century. Note the overloaded donkey at its center, a symbol laden with cultural memory. The animal, collapsing under excessive burden, echoes images of burdened figures throughout history, evoking a deep, subconscious understanding of suffering and exploitation. Consider, too, its presence in ancient fables, where the donkey often represents stubbornness and foolishness. Yet, it also bears the weight of labor and service. This duality in the donkey’s symbolism reveals how collective memory and cultural conditioning can influence our perception, creating layers of meaning embedded within the image. The braying is a primal cry, a form of protest. This humble animal, therefore, serves as a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level and evoking intense emotional states. Its symbolic weight has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings across time.