Et æsel, plaget af fluer 1834

This is Johan Thomas Lundbye’s “An Ass, Tormented by Flies,” an etching with a drypoint from the 1800s. Observe how Lundbye uses the etching technique to create a study in contrasts, the ass is rendered with fine, dense lines to describe its coarse hair and the play of light upon its form. The flies, mere specks, are meticulously placed to suggest movement and the animal's irritation. The composition is sparse; the subject dominates the small plate, set against a stark, empty background. This compositional choice isolates the animal, turning it into a symbol of the burdens and small torments of existence. Lundbye's skill lies in evoking a sense of empathy through the ass's weary stance and the relentless annoyance of the flies. Consider the semiotic weight of the animal itself. The donkey, often a symbol of stubbornness and servitude, is here portrayed with a degree of vulnerability that challenges conventional readings.