Twee aanzichten van een kies van een slurfdier before 1869

This print presents two views of an ancient elephant molar. The tooth, a powerful symbol of strength and longevity, is depicted with meticulous detail, its ridges and contours rendered starkly against the dark background. Consider how the visual language of this image mirrors ancient depictions of mythical creatures. The tooth's massive form evokes the bones of giants and dragons, motifs recurring in folklore across cultures. Think of the Cyclops, whose single eye might spring from misinterpretations of elephant skulls found in antiquity. The fossil becomes a potent symbol, connecting us to deep time and stirring primal fears and awe. It serves as a reminder that even the mightiest creatures are subject to the relentless cycle of creation and destruction. This tooth is not merely a relic; it is a key that unlocks our collective memory.