Haan naast een boomstam 1811

This etching, titled "Haan naast een boomstam," or "Rooster next to a tree trunk" was created by Pieter Gerardus van Os in 1811. Van Os lived through the Batavian Republic and the Napoleonic Kingdom of Holland, eras of significant political upheaval. At first glance, the image is simple, a rooster standing proudly near a tree. Yet, consider the rooster itself – historically a symbol of vigilance, pride, and even aggression. What does it mean to place this symbol against the backdrop of a nation under occupation, its identity in flux? The etching is a study in contrasts, a commentary on pride and resilience. The rooster's stance, seemingly confident, might also betray a hint of defensiveness, a need to assert its presence in a landscape marked by uncertainty. Perhaps van Os is inviting us to consider the complexities of national and personal identity. Does the rooster symbolize resistance, or perhaps a longing for a more assertive national spirit? It encourages us to reflect on the quiet moments of defiance and the struggle to maintain one's identity in times of change.