Reynard Steals a Capon from the Pastor c. 1645 - 1656

Allart van Everdingen etched this scene of Reynard the Fox stealing a capon, likely in the mid-17th century. Reynard, the cunning trickster, embodies primal cunning, a figure who recurs across centuries. Note the gesture of Reynard as he absconds with his prize; a pose of both triumph and stealth, it echoes figures from antiquity to the Renaissance. Think of Hermes, the messenger god, often depicted in similar swift motion, conveying divine secrets. The fox as a symbol of cunning is not static. In medieval bestiaries, it represented deceit, yet in folklore, it often symbolizes wisdom and survival. This duality speaks to our complex relationship with the animal world and the darker aspects of human nature. The image engages viewers on a subconscious level as the fox embodies our more wild and instinctual selves. The symbol of the fox persists, continually evolving in meaning, resurfacing in our collective consciousness, and taking on new forms.