Herkaauwende of tweehoevige dieren 1875 - 1903

Here is the audio guide script for the artwork provided: This print by Jan de Haan, titled "Herkaauwende of tweehoevige dieren", presents a collection of ruminant animals, each rendered with a keen eye for detail. Observe the majestic antlers of the deer and moose. Antlers, in various cultures, symbolize power, virility, and connection to the natural world. They echo the tree of life, its branches reaching towards the heavens, its roots anchored in the earth. From ancient Celtic stag gods to the horned figures in shamanic traditions, the antler has long resonated with potent spiritual and psychological significance. Consider the image of Actaeon, the hunter transformed into a stag by Artemis, forever hunted by his own hounds—a powerful symbol of transformation and the primal forces of nature. These associations are not linear but cyclical, constantly resurfacing and evolving, reminding us that our connection to these symbols remains a deep, subconscious current that flows through history.