Portretten van Dirck en Wouter Pietersz. Crabeth 1729

Jacob Houbraken’s engraving portrays Dirck and Wouter Pietersz. Crabeth, their visages framed by potent symbols. The bull, prominently displayed alongside Dirck, is no mere beast of burden, it is a primal symbol of strength and virility, harking back to ancient Minoan bull-leaping rituals. The bull also carries the family's coat of arms. We see echoes of this potent symbol in other artworks across time and space. Consider the bull in Picasso’s Guernica, a visceral representation of brutality, or its presence in ancient mythology. These symbols are not static; they evolve, carrying layers of collective memory and subconscious associations. The recurring motif of the bull engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking an understanding of humanity's primal instincts and our connection with the natural world. This symbol, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, continues to resurface, taking on new meanings in diverse cultural contexts, and is perpetually in motion.