Deez' os, zoo groot en vet hy is / Gevoed met gras en hooi, / Gaat straks des slagters byl niet mis. / Ondanks zyn kermis-tooi 1806 - 1830

This print, created by J. Robyn, depicts a large ox adorned with garlands of flowers. These floral decorations, reminiscent of festive or sacrificial dressings, paradoxically highlight the animal's impending doom, as alluded to in the text above. Consider the garland, an ancient symbol of celebration and honor, often seen in triumphal arches and religious ceremonies. Here, it is repurposed, a visual echo of sacrificial rituals where animals were adorned before being offered. This motif transcends time, appearing in various guises across cultures, from ancient Roman sacrifices to modern-day harvest festivals. This juxtaposition evokes a powerful emotional response. The flowers, symbols of life and beauty, clash with the ox's destined fate, creating a poignant tension that engages our collective memory of life's fragility. The artist uses these contrasting elements to tap into our subconscious understanding of cyclical existence, where life and death are intertwined.