Ezel 1655 - 1688

Govert van der Leeuw created this etching, titled ‘Ezel’, in the Dutch Republic during the Golden Age. This was a period of unprecedented economic growth and cultural flourishing. ‘Ezel’, meaning donkey in Dutch, depicts the animal standing in a field. The donkey was a common farm animal, essential for transportation and agriculture. Representations of donkeys in Dutch art weren’t just about pastoral scenes though. They were often used allegorically. The donkey could be a symbol of ignorance, stubbornness, or humility, depending on the context. In the 17th-century Dutch Republic, where religious and political ideas were frequently debated, the donkey might also represent the common person. In this artwork the donkey has a calm dignity. What do you make of how Van der Leeuw has portrayed it? Does it challenge the traditional negative associations of the animal, or does it reinforce them? Consider how our own societal values influence the meaning of ‘Ezel’.