Zittende gier, naar rechts 1864 - 1936

Jan van Essen drew this image of a vulture with crayon, leaving us with a study of the animal, and an insight into how animals were perceived during the late 19th and early 20th century. Van Essen's choice to depict this bird offers an opportunity to reflect on the roles and representations of animals in society. As a carrion bird, vultures are associated with death and decay. Their very existence is linked to the cycle of life and death. In this context, we might ask how the vulture’s role challenges our conventional notions of beauty. What is the cultural significance of such creatures, and how do they reflect our own attitudes towards mortality? Van Essen does not shy away from depicting the bird in careful detail, including its somewhat grotesque features, prompting a moment of introspection about our own place in the natural order. The artist invites us to look beyond traditional aesthetics.