Twaalf oren Possibly 1796

This etching, "Twelve Ears," was made by Francesco Bartolozzi in 1796. Here, the ear appears not as a mere organ of hearing, but as a study of form, each one subtly different, yet universally recognizable. The ear itself, though not traditionally laden with symbolic weight, prompts contemplation. In ancient Egypt, elongated ears symbolized royalty, a sign of divine receptiveness. While these are simply studies, the ear as a symbol of listening cannot be ignored; consider the motif of Saint Peter, the keeper of Heaven's gates, often depicted listening intently. Like the ear, symbols resonate differently across cultures. Their persistence speaks to our collective, inherited memory. These ears remind us that every symbol, every gesture, carries echoes of the past, subtly influencing how we perceive and interpret the world around us.