[(...)] wereld 1806 - 1858

This print by Willem Carl Wansleven presents a series of vignettes illustrating various aspects of life. Notice the recurring motif of duality – rich and poor, summer and winter, night and day – each framed within its distinct panel. The figure of the lion hunting, juxtaposed with an ox, embodies a symbolic dialectic between predatory force and docile labor, mirroring the ancient Mesopotamian theme of animal combat, reflecting humanity's struggle to reconcile primal instincts with societal roles. The coupling of opposing elements points to an archetypal tension, a deep-seated human preoccupation with balance and contrast. This theme echoes through centuries of art, from medieval allegories to modern psychological explorations, reminding us that our understanding of the world is forever shaped by the interplay of opposites, deeply imprinted in our collective memory. Wansleven's print invites us to consider the cyclical nature of these themes. The recurring tension between opposing elements reflects our own internal struggles, reminding us that the past is not a static entity, but an evolving narrative.