Paarden en kippen bij een boerderij 1875

Jules Héreau made this print, "Horses and Chickens at a Farm," capturing a slice of rural life. The horses stand as symbols of labor and vitality, deeply rooted in the agricultural lifeblood of the time. Chickens peck around, emblems of domesticity. Consider the horse, a motif that gallops through art history. From the majestic steeds of ancient Greek sculptures to the warhorses of Renaissance paintings, its symbolism evolves. Here, the animal's presence evokes a sense of pastoral idyll, yet it echoes those earlier incarnations. As for the chickens, they appear across cultures, representing nourishment and new beginnings. This humble fowl transcends its role as mere livestock, speaking to basic human needs, echoing similar themes in ancient art. The image stirs a deep, subconscious connection to the cyclical nature of life. We return to these symbols, drawn by their enduring power to engage us, just as our ancestors were.