La princes à la tête de bois / De prins met het houten hoofd 1833 - 1911

This print, made by Brepols & Dierckx Zoon, depicts a fairy tale, presenting a prince with a wooden head – a striking symbol laden with meaning. The wooden head immediately evokes a sense of artificiality, of something unnatural and perhaps cursed. It is a motif rich in folklore, appearing across cultures to signify a lack of understanding, stubbornness, or a disconnection from one’s true self. We can trace similar motifs in other tales, such as Pinocchio's growing nose, where physical transformation reflects inner moral failings. These symbols tap into our collective anxieties about identity and authenticity. The prince's wooden head may be seen as an outward manifestation of an inner state, a psychological blockage. Consider how the rigidity of wood contrasts with the fluidity of human thought and emotion. Over time, the wooden head evolves, representing not just a flaw but a challenge to be overcome. The motif becomes a symbol of resilience and transformation. It resonates because it speaks to our deep-seated fears and our equally powerful desire for change and self-discovery. This illustrates the cyclical journey of symbols, constantly reinvented, constantly relevant.