Ezels 1636 - 1705

This etching, "Ezels," presents us with a deceptively simple scene: a donkey standing, another resting, and a figure nearby, all rendered with delicate lines. Yet, the donkey carries a rich symbolic weight. Historically, the donkey has been a figure of both burden and honor. Think of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, where he rides on a donkey, a symbol of humility and peace. But also remember its association with stubbornness and foolishness. Here, in this pastoral setting, these contrasting attributes merge. Is the standing donkey vigilant, a silent guardian? Or is it merely waiting, oblivious to its own symbolic load? The image evokes a sense of timelessness. The donkey, unchanged in form, appears across millennia, bearing burdens of labor and meaning. This continuity is a powerful force, engaging us on a subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols and our enduring connection to the past.