Bela Czobel Donkey of Szentendre 1935 1935

Bela Czobel captured this scene in 1935, a depiction of a donkey in Szentendre. The donkey, a symbol deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, stands as a primary motif. Historically, the donkey oscillates between representations of humility and stubbornness. We see echoes of this animal in ancient Egyptian art, bearing gods and pharaohs, and later, in Christian iconography, where a donkey carries Mary to Bethlehem. Consider Apuleius' "The Golden Ass," where the protagonist's transformation into a donkey becomes a vehicle for exploring human folly and desire. Here, the donkey, rendered with soft strokes, evokes a sense of melancholy. This gentle animal carries with it a history laden with cultural baggage, its image intertwined with human labor, religious narratives, and moral lessons. The humble donkey persists as a testament to the enduring power of symbols to reflect and shape our understanding of the world.