Opgezette ransuil 1871 - 1876

This albumen print by William Notman portrays a poised long-eared owl, a creature steeped in symbolic weight. In many cultures, the owl is a paradoxical figure, embodying both wisdom and the ominous shadow of death. Its nocturnal habits and piercing gaze have long associated it with hidden knowledge, even prophecy. But consider how the owl appears in other contexts, such as in ancient Greek folklore, where it was linked to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Yet, it also carries a darker association as a harbinger of ill fortune. This duality reveals how symbols can be vessels of collective memory, evolving through time and cultural shifts. The stillness captured here evokes a sense of watchful waiting, perhaps triggering our primeval fears of the night. In this photograph, the owl engages with the viewer on a subconscious level, calling forth a multitude of inherited meanings. It demonstrates a non-linear progression of meaning through the ages.