Boer die een akker ploegt met twee ossen, in cartouche 1741 - 1820

Abraham Delfos created this print of a farmer plowing a field with oxen in the 18th century. The scene, framed by an elaborate cartouche, depicts a simple, rural life. The ox, a symbol of strength and labor, has been a recurring motif throughout art history, from ancient Minoan frescoes to agrarian scenes in medieval tapestries. The bond between man and beast speaks to a deep, psychological connection. Think of the Minotaur, a hybrid creature symbolizing man's inner animal nature, or the countless depictions of sacrificial oxen, imbued with ritual significance. Here, the ox represents not just physical labor, but also a deep, almost subconscious, connection to the earth and the cycles of nature. This relationship taps into a primal part of our psyche. The image of plowing has resurfaced through time, evolving in its meaning yet always tethered to the earth's bounty and man's toil.