Jonge dode vogel 1867 - 1888

Philip Zilcken's etching presents us with a stark image of mortality: a small, dead bird, its form delicate yet unsettling. The bird, traditionally a symbol of freedom and the soul's ascent, here confronts us with earthly finality. Note the gesture of the bird's claw, almost reaching out, echoing the "man of sorrows" motif found in medieval depictions of Christ's Passion. This is a prime example of an *Antikenüberwindung*, or the 'transcendence of antiquity', reflecting how ancient forms resonate through time. The image taps into a primal fear, the subconscious dread of extinction. This motif—life extinguished—reappears in various guises across epochs, from ancient funerary art to contemporary meditations on ecological loss. As viewers, we're compelled to confront not just the bird’s demise, but also our own fleeting existence within the grand tapestry of time. The cyclical progression of the symbol of the bird continues, as it takes on new meaning.