Liggende bizon 1915

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita created this woodcut print, Liggende bizon, in 1915. The image presents a reclining bison, its form simplified and stark against a backdrop of rhythmic, parallel lines. The bison, a symbol of strength and survival, carries different meanings across cultures. For some, it represents abundance and the raw power of nature. This image evokes the ancient cave paintings of Lascaux, where animal figures were similarly rendered with a powerful, simplified grace. Consider the 'animal style' art of the Scythians, whose intricate metalwork depicted animals with a similar energy. Across millennia, the bison motif recurs, carrying a primal force that resonates deeply within our collective memory, perhaps tapping into a subconscious recognition of our connection to the natural world. The emotional power lies in the way it captures the essence of the animal. The image becomes more than a representation; it becomes a vessel for cultural memory, its form shifting but its symbolic weight enduring.