Elephants at a waterhole 

Wilhelm Kuhnert painted these elephants at a waterhole, capturing a scene of raw vitality. The upraised trunk is a powerful visual motif, resonating with ancient symbols of strength and good fortune. Its roots can be traced back to Indian iconography, where the elephant-headed god Ganesha represents wisdom and the removal of obstacles. Observe how the raised trunk embodies the life force, what the Greeks called 'élan vital'. It is a gesture of command, a declaration of existence. Yet, it also suggests a vulnerability, an openness to the world. In the subconscious, such gestures evoke deep emotional responses. Consider how this single trunk mirrors the human capacity for joy, grief, and everything in between. The echoes of such ancient symbols reverberate through time, transformed and reborn in new forms. The elephant, revered and feared, remains a potent symbol, reminding us of the complex dance between nature, culture, and the enduring human spirit.