Âne. / Donkey. / Esel. / Asino. / Ezel 1829 - 1880

Editor: Here we have a coloured-pencil and watercolor drawing titled “Âne. / Donkey. / Esel. / Asino. / Ezel,” attributed to firma Joseph Scholz, created sometime between 1829 and 1880. It's a pretty straightforward depiction of a donkey, but there's almost something humorous about its proportions. What do you see in this piece, especially with those different names given to it? Curator: The multiple names immediately point to a wide intended audience, spanning different cultures, perhaps even used in language learning, linking visual imagery with linguistic symbols. Think about the donkey itself. Across many cultures, it carries significant symbolic weight – often associated with humility, patience, and burden-bearing. Its somewhat comical depiction here is interesting, almost mocking these perceived "virtues". Does that connect with any historical caricatures of the donkey you are familiar with? Editor: Now that you mention it, I'm reminded of its use as a symbol for political parties... It also feels more contemporary given its style – I'm unsure why! Curator: Exactly! The seeming simplicity belies layers of meaning. What is intriguing is how an image like this imprints itself in cultural memory. A child seeing this image might first learn an animal’s name, then perhaps later grasp the layered symbolism society projects onto it. It invites the question of what the artist intended for this specific image: was it mere illustration, a subtle caricature, or something more profound? What sticks with you now that we've talked it through? Editor: I never would have guessed there was so much history tied up in an image that seems so simple. Thanks, I’ll definitely be looking at animal images differently from now on.