A man making water after 1630

This small etching presents us with a seemingly simple act, laden with deeper cultural undercurrents. Here we see a man relieving himself, an image that cuts through social facades. Consider how the act of urination, a basic human function, is often suppressed or hidden in plain sight. In ancient Rome, public fountains often featured figures with flowing water, subtly linking the life-giving resource with the act of release. This symbol has an interesting trajectory; from the Roman "Manneken Pis" statue, the tradition has passed from a symbol of civic pride, to a crude, but truthful expression of daily life, with roots in pagan fertility rituals. The choice to depict it prompts a reflection on the relationship between the individual, the body, and societal norms. It taps into our collective memory, reminding us of our shared humanity and the often-unacknowledged aspects of existence. Perhaps this image serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, a return to nature, and an embrace of the bodily existence we all share.