Processie met een versierde os Possibly 1634

Gerard ter Borch the Younger created this pen drawing, now at the Rijksmuseum, depicting a procession with a decorated ox. The central motif, the ox adorned with foliage, immediately evokes ancient sacrificial rituals. Across cultures, the ox has served as a potent symbol of strength, fertility, and sacrifice. Think back to the Apis bull of ancient Egypt or the sacrificial oxen of ancient Greece, each imbued with sacred significance. Even today, we see echoes of this reverence in agricultural festivals celebrating the bounty of the earth. The procession itself is a potent image of collective energy, isn’t it? It reminds us of the cyclical nature of cultural symbols, how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts. The image resonates with something deep within us, a subconscious memory of rituals and beliefs that have shaped our collective psyche.