Os in een stal 1880 - 1911

This is Pieter Dupont's etching of an ox in a stall, made using an engraving technique. Here, the ox, a symbol of strength and servitude, stands confined. Its presence evokes a sense of primal energy, reminiscent of the Cretan bull, a figure of untamed power in ancient myths, or Apis, worshiped in Ancient Egypt as a symbol of virility and strength. The image of cattle in a stall appears throughout history; think of the ox in representations of the nativity. The presence of this animal in religious contexts speaks to its role as both a sacrificial offering and a humble witness. The motif is one of enduring human fascination: the powerful beast domesticated, its energy channeled for human purposes. This evokes feelings of control and vulnerability, as we grapple with our relationship to the natural world. The symbol continues to resurface, its meanings reshaped by each new age.