Adelaar en hond 1796

This is Henri Keller's "Eagle and Dog," an etching on paper that invites us into a subtle yet intriguing narrative. Notice the stark contrasts—the formidable eagle juxtaposed with the tender dog. Keller masterfully uses line and texture to define the eagle's plumage, creating a sense of power. The dog, nestled within the eagle's embrace, is rendered with softer lines, evoking vulnerability. The composition is carefully balanced, with the figures arranged on a rocky outcrop that grounds the scene. But what does it signify? Perhaps Keller is exploring the tension between predator and prey, dominance and submission. The etching challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to question our assumptions about nature and power. It offers a symbolic language, and through the delicate use of hatching, the artist destabilizes traditional categories. The meaning is unfixed, left open for interpretation.