Walk in the Boulougne Wood 1888 - 1890

Berthe Morisot's etching, "Walk in the Boulougne Wood," presents us with geese, symbols laden with cultural meaning. Consider the goose. Historically, in ancient Rome, geese were revered for their vigilance, famously saving the city with their honking. Yet, this creature carries a dual nature. In folklore, geese can represent foolishness or naivety. This duality echoes through time, reappearing in various contexts, from Aesop's fables to children's stories, each era shaping its significance. It is this dance between vigilance and folly that engages our subconscious. Morisot, perhaps unconsciously, taps into this collective memory, presenting us with an image that is simultaneously comforting and subtly unsettling. The goose, then, becomes a powerful symbol, its meaning oscillating through history, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols themselves.