Verschillende dieren 1874

This print, "Verschillende Dieren", by De Ruyter & Meijer, presents an array of animals, each carrying its own symbolic weight, deeply ingrained in our collective psyche. Consider the snake, depicted multiple times, coiled and ready—a motif that slithers through time. From the Garden of Eden to the caduceus of Hermes, it embodies duality: life and death, wisdom and deceit. This primal fear and fascination echoes in ancient myths and resurfaces even in modern medicine. Think of the spider, too, weaving its intricate web. Is it a symbol of creation and destiny, or a representation of entrapment? Our reaction to these creatures isn't merely biological; it’s a cultural inheritance, shaped by centuries of storytelling. These creatures speak to the non-linear progression of symbols, constantly evolving and adapting. They tap into our subconscious, engaging us in a timeless dialogue.