Vier mannen rondom een tafel / Paard in de wei 1750 - 1850

J. van der Tas created these two small images, one showing four men around a table and the other a horse in a field, using etching. The gathering around a table reminds us of similar scenes found throughout art history, like those of the Last Supper, where a group is engaged in solemn conversation and a communal act. Here, the men’s gestures and focused attention around the table signify a moment of shared experience. The presence of dogs in the lower corners, symbols of fidelity and watchfulness, grounds the scene in a familiar reality. The solitary horse, set against a rural backdrop, echoes motifs of freedom and nature, reminiscent of classical equestrian statues that glorify power and nobility. This imagery speaks to the cyclical nature of symbols; their evolution over time, their cultural persistence, and their ability to evoke subconscious connections across different eras.