Het slachten van een varken 1820 - 1872

Hendrik Abraham Klinkhamer’s pencil drawing captures a pig slaughter, a potent symbol of community and sustenance. The central motif, the pig, has long been a complex figure. In some traditions, it represents prosperity and abundance. Yet, it also carries associations with uncleanliness and base instincts. We can observe the cyclical progression of this symbol, tracing its earlier association with fertility gods in ancient cultures. The act of slaughter is also important. The act of slaughtering— though brutal— is often laden with ritual and communal significance. The solemn faces of the adults, along with the curious gaze of the children, highlight the complexity of this tradition. In the broader history of art, similar scenes recur— from ancient Roman agricultural depictions to later northern European genre paintings, all echoing the human relationship with nature and the cycle of life and death. Such images tap into deeply ingrained collective memories, engaging us on a visceral level with primal emotions. It has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.