Stier in de wei 1874

Auguste Danse created this etching of a bull in a field, sometime in the late 19th century. Consider the pastoral settings that were often idealized during this period, frequently presenting harmonious views of nature and rural life. Danse, working within this tradition, subtly challenges it. His bull is not part of a picturesque farm scene, but stands alone, almost confrontational. The starkness of the etching emphasizes the animal's physical presence. The bull, a symbol of virility and strength, here seems almost burdened, its heavy form rendered with a palpable sense of weight. Perhaps Danse is commenting on the labor and the role of animals in agriculture. The print invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world, and the complex ways we assign meaning to the creatures within it. It prompts us to consider the realities of rural existence, beyond idealized representations.