Kop van een kalkoen c. 1611 - 1612

This is a sketch of a turkey head, lightly drawn by Gerard ter Borch. Here, the turkey is not merely an animal; it is a vessel of symbolic migration across continents and cultures. Initially, the turkey was seen as a symbol of abundance and exotic novelty when it first arrived in Europe from the Americas. But as the bird became domesticated, its symbolic meaning changed. Often associated with feasts and harvest, the turkey also became linked to notions of gluttony and pride. One cannot help but consider how this links back to ancient symbols of sacrifice and feasting, echoing rituals where animals embody both the sacred and the profane. The turkey mirrors the human capacity for transformation and adaptation, reflecting our complex relationship with nature. The image engages us on a subconscious level, a reminder of the cyclical nature of symbols that evolve, resurface, and transform across time.