Egyptische reliëfsculptuur: gevangen eenden c. 1844 - 1896

This drawing by Willem de Famars Testas depicts an Egyptian relief sculpture showing captured ducks, birds often laden with symbolic weight. Here, the ducks are held, signifying control, likely reflecting the power and authority of the tomb owner in the afterlife, or perhaps alluding to the abundance and provision expected in the otherworld. Consider how the motif of captured animals appears across cultures. In ancient Greek art, we see similar depictions of animals held or sacrificed, often linked to religious rituals and expressions of dominance. Yet, the emotional valence differs. Here, there is a subdued sense of abundance and control rather than the performative drama of Greek sacrifice. This image also calls to mind the story of Noah's Ark, where birds released signal hope and renewal after devastation, shifting the symbol’s meaning from captivity to freedom. Such variations in symbolism are not merely shifts in meaning, but reflections of a deeper, subconscious engagement with themes of power and provision that still resonate today. It reveals the fascinating persistence and transformation of symbolic imagery across time.