Ein Bär und ein angriffslustiges Wildschwein 

Franz Pforr sketched a bear and a tusked wild boar in this drawing now residing in the Städel Museum. Here, both animals are poised, bristling with instinct, ready to unleash a primal rage that echoes through human history. Observe how the boar's aggressive stance—head lowered, tusks bared—reverberates with similar aggressive animalistic motifs in ancient heraldry and folklore. The image of the boar, often associated with courage and ferocity, stretches back to the Calydonian Boar of Greek myth. Notice the bear, equally poised, with claws ready to strike. The bear—a symbol often associated with introspection and strength—reflects the duality of human nature, the beast within. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols, how they adapt and reappear across eras, embodying collective memories and resonating with our deepest fears and desires.