Nu ik mijn vijand heb gemaakt geheel confuis / Zoo stap ik onvermoeid / weer naar mijn boeren huis c. 1822 - 1849

This print of a rooster is by Jan de Lange II, made sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Lange was a book printer in Deventer, Netherlands during a time of social and economic change. The rooster, boldly stepping across the frame, isn't just a barnyard animal; it is a symbol of masculine pride and rural life. The Dutch text above the rooster translates to "Now that I have made my enemy completely confused, I flap tirelessly back to my farmhouse." The rooster's combative stance tells a story of overcoming conflict and returning home. The print speaks to notions of home and identity that may have resonated deeply with Lange’s audience, offering a comforting image of stability in a rapidly changing world. The domestic scene subtly elevates the common, revealing deeper cultural values embedded in everyday life. It reminds us of the simple, yet profound connections to place, labor, and self.