Donkey 1649

Wenceslaus Hollar created this etching, titled 'Donkey,' in 1649, a period marked by significant social and economic stratification across Europe. Hollar, known for his detailed and prolific printmaking, offers here more than just a depiction of an animal. The donkey, burdened with symbolic weight, stands in a landscape sketched with sparse detail, its head hung low. In the 17th century, donkeys were commonly used as beasts of burden. Hollar’s depiction invites us to reflect on labor, servitude, and the natural world, as well as on the social hierarchies of the time. The donkey’s posture and the simple harness suggest a life of work, devoid of autonomy. What emotions does this image evoke in you? How does Hollar use the image of an animal to comment on broader societal structures? 'Donkey' becomes a poignant reflection on the lives of the working class, subtly challenging us to consider the ethics of labor and the treatment of the vulnerable.