Zittende figuur bij een adelaar tegen een ornamentele achtergrond c. 1889 - 1891

Antoon Derkinderen sketched this drawing of a seated figure with an eagle against an ornamental background using graphite on paper. The eagle here is a potent symbol with a deep lineage. In ancient Rome, it represented power and dominion, the very emblem of the empire's strength. This motif resurfaces throughout history, adorning the standards of emperors and kings, each time imbued with notions of authority and divine right. Consider how the Roman eagle differs from its earlier depictions. While the Roman eagle symbolized imperial might, in earlier cultures, such as those of Mesopotamia, the eagle was often associated with gods and spirits. This shift highlights how cultural values reshape symbols. The ornamental background adds another layer, reminiscent of the intricate patterns found in Byzantine mosaics, perhaps hinting at a quest for spiritual meaning intertwined with earthly power. The cyclical return and reinterpretation of such symbols speak to a collective memory, where images are not static but are continually charged with new emotional and psychological significance.