The Stubborn Donkey 1770

Jean Claude Richard created this print, "The Stubborn Donkey," using etching and aquatint. Here, we witness a scene teeming with both domesticity and defiance. The donkey, an ancient symbol of stubbornness and humility, is central to the composition, embodying the trials of everyday life. Notice how the figures around the donkey mirror this theme: a man struggles to move the animal, while a mother clutches her children, their faces a mix of concern and resignation. This tableau evokes classical images of burdened laborers, reminiscent of the myth of Sisyphus. The donkey, resistant to movement, becomes a potent symbol of human inertia and the obstacles we face. The motif of the donkey appears throughout history, from religious parables to folkloric tales, often representing the burdens we carry, both physical and emotional. It highlights the enduring human struggle against the forces of resistance, internalized or external, a struggle that resonates deeply within our collective memory.