Uil met twee uilskuikens zittend op tak Possibly 1893 - 1895

Henri de Groux created this image of an owl with two owlets sitting on a branch with chalk. The owl, a creature of the night, has long been associated with wisdom, but also with darkness and death. These feathered figures embody contradictory forces. The owl's piercing gaze and silent flight evoke a sense of mystery, symbolizing intuition and knowledge. Yet, in many cultures, the owl's nocturnal habits link it to the underworld, a messenger of the gods, guiding souls. Consider the presence of the owlets. The owl’s maternal pose, evokes ideas of protection and familial wisdom. One might look to ancient Greece, where the owl was sacred to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, or to other cultures, where the owl embodies a connection between the seen and unseen worlds. This imagery speaks to our collective memory, reminding us of the primal fears and reverence associated with the natural world, engaging our subconscious on a deep, emotional level. Thus, the image of the owl is not static but cyclical, resurfacing in art and culture, constantly evolving in meaning.