Vier ezels op het strand 1848 - 1909

Armand Collard created this print of four donkeys on the beach using etching techniques. Observe these donkeys, their presence speaks volumes about the shifting symbolism of animals across time. In antiquity, the donkey carried associations with both the divine and the mundane. Consider Apuleius's "The Golden Ass," where transformation into a donkey leads to spiritual revelation. Here, however, they seem to evoke a sense of humility and perhaps even a touch of melancholy. The donkey, often a beast of burden, reminds us of the weight of existence and the simple rhythms of life. Like the images of burdened figures in Renaissance art, these donkeys engage us on a visceral level, tapping into our shared understanding of labor, perseverance, and the quiet dignity found in the everyday. Their serene yet burdened stance may trigger collective memories of hardship and resilience. Thus, the image of the donkey continues its non-linear journey through art history, adapting and echoing in the subconscious of both artist and viewer.