Smaak 1774

Jean-Baptist Leprince created ‘Smaak’ as an ink and wash drawing around 1774. The act of feeding, so poignantly captured here, is a motif laden with symbolism that traverses epochs. Consider the open mouth, an almost universal appeal for sustenance, echoing in Byzantine icons where the Virgin Mary offers her breast to the infant Christ. This gesture of offering nourishment is far more than simple feeding; it is an act of profound care, an emblem of the life-giving force itself. The spoon, wielded by the elder figure, extends not just food, but also trust and tradition. This simple tool connects us to ancient rituals, where communal meals were sacred, fostering social cohesion and shared identity. The emotional resonance of this image taps into our collective memory, evoking primal feelings of security and belonging. It is the enduring power of such archetypal scenes that resonates across time, reminding us of our shared human experiences.