Maarten Pauw van Wieldrecht zich met dolk verwerend tegen aanvallend (opgezet) wild zwijn 1898

This image, captured by Henry Pauw van Wieldrecht, presents a dramatic scene of a man defending himself against a wild boar. This staged encounter—as the title suggests—echoes primal struggles between man and beast that stretch back into the collective unconscious. The wild boar itself is an ancient symbol, appearing in myths and legends across cultures. From the Calydonian Boar of Greek myth to the Erymanthian Boar, which was among The Twelve Labours of Hercules, the creature represents untamed nature and masculine courage. Even in relatively modern times, we have Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight. The man's defense with a dagger, a symbolic gesture that evokes similar struggles across time, speaks to the confrontation with the irrational forces of nature. We can trace its echoes in countless depictions of heroic battles; These images serve as cultural touchstones. It becomes clear that these symbols and themes are not static; rather, they evolve, resurface, and are reinterpreted across time. It’s this cyclical progression of images that continues to shape our understanding of the human condition and the natural world.