Ourson den wildeman word jongheyd, U gegeven: / Wees niet aen hem gelyk door ongeregeld leven / Jeunesse, d'un Ourson, si vous lisez l'image / C'est pour vous corriger, pour que vous soyez sage 1866 - 1902

This print by Franciscus Antonius Beersmans presents a cautionary tale, as told through a sequence of images featuring a wild child and a bear. The juxtaposition of the wild child and bear is a symbolic representation of untamed nature, primal instincts, and the journey of socialization. The wild child motif can be traced back to ancient myths, resurfacing in folklore and art across different cultures. Consider Romulus and Remus, suckled by a wolf, embodying a primal connection to nature. Here, we observe a similar resonance, a yearning for a return to the wild, unburdened by societal constraints. The appearance of the bear, often associated with strength and ferocity, yet also tenderness, is a recurring symbol in human consciousness. The taming of the wild is a recurring theme in human history. Just as the bear is domesticated, so too must the wild child learn to restrain their primal urges. The collective memory of our ancestors' struggle for survival, and the subconscious allure of the untamed wilderness, makes this image so powerful.