Wandelend paar met havik 1505 - 1509

Lucas van Leyden etched this image of a walking couple with a hawk in the early 16th century. The hawk, perched on the man's wrist, is more than just a bird; it's a symbol of status and nobility, a motif we see echoed through centuries in various forms, from ancient Egyptian falcon gods to medieval hunting scenes. Consider how this symbol has flown through time. The hawk, once a divine emblem of power, became a marker of aristocratic privilege. What deep-seated desires are reflected in this shift? The yearning for control, for elevating oneself above the mundane? It stirs something primal within us, a fascination with dominance that transcends epochs. The couple’s measured pace and controlled gestures hint at a choreographed display of social standing. Here, the hawk isn't merely an accessory; it's a key to unlocking layers of ambition, aspiration, and the eternal human dance of social positioning, re-emerging across cultures in endless variations.