Zittende jongen met een boog 1834 - 1903

This sketch by Johan Hendrik Weissenbruch depicts a boy sitting and holding a bow. The bow, a symbol of both martial prowess and youthful play, has a long lineage in art. Consider, for example, Cupid's bow, which evokes themes of love and desire that stretches back to antiquity. Yet, the gesture of drawing a bow also carries echoes of a more primal, assertive energy. Think of the archer figures found in ancient Near Eastern art, symbols of power and control. The act of bending the bow—of accumulating potential energy—can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition. In psychological terms, this image stirs deep, subconscious memories. It is more than just a scene; it's a link in a long chain of cultural expressions. The symbolism evolves, yet the core human drives remain potent and recognizable, echoing through the ages.