Houthakker aangevallen door een beer c. 1860 - 1888

Charles Verlat created this print, "Woodcutter Attacked by a Bear," sometime in the mid-19th century. In it, we see a raw struggle of man against nature, a theme common in Romantic art of the time. This image reflects the social anxieties of 19th-century Europe, when industrialization led to a romanticized view of rural life. The woodcutter, a symbol of traditional labor, is depicted in a life-or-death battle with a bear, representing the untamed wilderness. The presence of the woman adds a layer of vulnerability, highlighting the perceived dangers of rural life. Verlat, working within the academic system, was likely commenting on the changing social landscape. The print invites us to consider the role of the artist in shaping perceptions of social change. Research into the print's reception and historical context can reveal much about the cultural values of the time.