Drawing for the primer_ Rooster c. 1905

This is Hans Thoma’s sketch of a Rooster, made with ink on paper. The rooster, a potent symbol, crows at dawn, announcing the sun’s return, signaling vigilance and resurrection. This image echoes through time, its presence felt from ancient mythologies to modern art. We see the rooster in ancient Greek depictions as a symbol of masculine pride and courage, and later, adapted into Christian iconography as a symbol of Christ's passion, resurrection, and the triumph over darkness. Consider its appearance on weather vanes, perpetually vigilant. This simple sketch belies the rooster’s layered symbolism. It highlights our enduring connection to symbols that resonate deep within our cultural memory, evolving, adapting, and finding new life across centuries.