Schildpad 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag’s woodcut captures a turtle, a creature steeped in symbolic weight across cultures. Here, the turtle emerges from simple waters, its shell a mosaic of segmented patterns achieved through the stark contrast of black ink on white paper. The turtle, a symbol of longevity and steadfastness, echoes through time. From ancient Chinese traditions, where it represents the cosmos and the unyielding nature of time, to various mythologies where it carries the world on its back, the turtle embodies endurance. In some African folktales, the turtle, though slow, outwits faster animals through cunning. This duality of slowness and wisdom speaks to deeper, subconscious associations with patience and resilience. Like an emblem passed through generations, the turtle resurfaces, reminding us of the slow, steady march of time.