Olifant op boek (schets) before 1936

Leo Gestel rendered this sketch of an elephant atop a book in pen and ink. Elephants, revered across cultures, symbolize wisdom and memory, their iconic presence stretching back to antiquity, often associated with royalty and power. Here, the elephant stands on a book; this merging of animal strength and knowledge evokes complex layers. It recalls the image of the elephant carrying the world, a symbol of steadfastness, yet now burdened by intellect, suggesting the heavy weight of knowledge. This is reminiscent of how the serpent in the Garden of Eden, entwined with the tree of knowledge, altered our perception. Notice the elephant's raised trunk, a gesture seen in ancient Roman triumphs to modern political rallies. It speaks to primal emotional states and a powerful force engaging us on a subconscious level. This motif transcends time, evolving, resurfacing, and acquiring new meanings across historical contexts.