A Woman Carrying a Bundle of Sticks c. 1902

Heinrich Zille created this etching entitled "A Woman Carrying a Bundle of Sticks". The central figure, burdened with a large bundle, and aided by a walking stick, evokes a sense of timeless toil. The motif of the burdened figure is ancient, resonating with images of Atlas bearing the world or the Christian allegory of Saint Christopher carrying Christ. Yet, Zille imbues this image with a stark realism far removed from heroic or saintly ideals. The weight on her back seems less a physical load and more a metaphor for life’s burdens. The stick she leans on as support is a symbol that spans across cultures and epochs as well, from the shepherd’s staff to the scepter of a king. Here it speaks to the essential tools of survival and is emblematic of resilience and persistence. We can see this gesture echoed in images of pilgrims, wanderers, and laborers across various historical contexts. This image is a reminder of the cyclical nature of human experience and the power of symbols to transcend time, speaking to us across generations.