Runderschedel, 1825 1825 - 1826

Daniël Veelwaard made this drawing in 1825, representing the skull of a bull. Its horns form a crescent that crowns the head, an ancient symbol of power and fertility, also reminiscent of the divine. The image, stark and devoid of context, brings forth the memento mori tradition, reminding us of life's ephemerality, and how death is life's great leveller, reducing all living beings to mere bone. This motif has appeared in countless forms throughout history, from ancient Roman sculptures to Northern Renaissance paintings. Think of Holbein's 'The Ambassadors', where the elongated skull forces us to confront our mortality. The bull's skull here evokes similar feelings, resonating on a deep subconscious level. The past is not a closed chapter, but an ever-present force. Symbols evolve, meanings shift, but the underlying emotions remain, constantly resurfacing in new forms.