The hog 1777 - 1836

This etching, "The Hog," was crafted by Francesco Novelli in the late 18th or early 19th century. Here we see a rather large pig lying down in the foreground, while a group of people observes it in the background. The pig, an animal laden with symbolic weight, has appeared throughout art history, carrying a range of meanings. Often associated with gluttony and impurity, the pig's image also surfaces in scenes of abundance and fertility. Consider the ancient Roman festivals honoring Ceres, where pigs were sacrificed to ensure bountiful harvests. In medieval art, the pig can symbolize base instincts, yet in other contexts, it represents communal wealth. The collective memory of the pig is complex, its iconography shifting across time and culture, evoking primal, subconscious responses linked to survival and sustenance. Thus, as you gaze upon this image, contemplate the cyclical journey of symbols, their capacity to resurface, transform, and acquire new resonance across the epochs.