Copy of Les Bohémiens en Marche: L'Arrière-Garde, pièce aussi appelée Le Départ (The Gypsies Travelling: The Rear Guard, also called The Departure), from Le Bohémiens, série appelée aussi Les Égyptiens, La Marche des Bohémiens, La Vie Errante des Bohémiens, Les Marches Égyptiennes (The Gypsies, series also called The Egyptiens, The Gypsy Troops, The Wandering Lives of Gypsies, The Egyptian Troops) 1610 - 1700

This print, whose author is unknown, shows a band of traveling gypsies, a motif resonant with historical and cultural meanings. Observe the procession. The gypsies are arranged in a long line, their belongings piled high on carts and animals, their faces etched with the weariness of constant movement. This depiction echoes ancient migratory patterns, reminding us of humanity’s eternal quest for home, a concept as old as civilization itself. The act of wandering, however, also carries a darker connotation—exclusion, marginalization, and the inherent rootlessness of the Romani people. Consider the horse, a potent symbol of freedom and nobility, here burdened by the weight of possessions and the road. This echoes depictions of horses across different cultures; the horse, a motif symbolizing freedom, is here weighted with the burdens of life. This contrast resonates deeply within our collective memory, evoking a sense of melancholy and a yearning for liberation. It’s a haunting reminder of how symbols are never static, evolving and reflecting the shifting tides of human experience.