Illustration til W. Hey "Halvthundrede Fabler for Børn" 1848

This ink illustration for W. Hey's "Halvthundrede Fabler for Børn" presents a boy gently touching a resting bull. Notice the bull's prominent horns, symbols of power and virility across many cultures, from ancient Minoan rituals to bullfighting in Spain. The bull, often associated with strength and fertility, embodies primal energies. The act of the boy touching the bull can be seen as a symbolic gesture that signifies the harmony between man and beast, and a form of courage and domination. This image resonates with the myth of Europa and the Bull, where a god in bovine form abducts a young woman. The bull's imposing size and the boy's tender gesture evoke a deep, perhaps subconscious, dialogue about control, fear, and respect for nature's might. The image resonates with our collective memory, echoing through time and cultures, a testament to the enduring power of symbols.