Pissende boer 1633 - 1672

This etching, made by Willem Basse in the 17th century, portrays a peasant relieving himself against a tree. In this seemingly simple scene, we find echoes of deeper cultural meanings. The act of urination, crude as it may seem, has roots in ancient fertility rituals, symbolizing the life-giving force of water. Think of ancient Egyptian depictions of the Nile god Hapi, his abundance nourishing the land. The presence of the barrel and jug suggest the fruits of the earth and evoke Bacchus, the god of wine, whose image can be traced back to ancient Greece. The peasant is an archetype that stretches back through the annals of art history, a symbol that oscillates between humor and deeper reflection on our primal selves. There is an emotional intensity in its raw, unfiltered portrayal of human nature that has the power to stir something within us. It's a dance between our civilized selves and the untamed essence of life. This work allows us to reflect on the enduring power of symbols, the ways they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.