Landschap met een dier en figuur 1848 - 1888

This subtle drawing was created by Anton Mauve, and is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Here, we see what appears to be an ox pulling a plow, yet this image is so much more than just a farming scene. Since antiquity, the image of the ox has been a symbol of strength, hard work, and dedication to the earth. Notice how the animal appears to be in service to a higher power. When we look at the history of symbols across time, in ancient Egypt, the Apis bull was a symbol of divinity and fertility. This motif reappears in the Minoan civilization of Crete, where the bull was a symbol of power and virility, often depicted in elaborate frescoes and rituals. The oxen reminds us of something deeply ingrained within our collective memory. We are brought back to the foundational relationship between humans, animals, and the land, and the emotional connection we feel to the earth. Though this artwork looks simple, it evokes themes of labor, fertility, and the enduring bond between humans and the natural world.