Taureau (bull or beefy man) XVIII 1958

This collage, named "Taureau XVIII," by Le Corbusier presents us with a bull-like figure pieced together from paper and ink, a composition that hints at the power and virility associated with the bull in ancient cultures. The bull, an archetypal symbol, has charged through history from the Minoan frescoes of Knossos to the Roman Mithraic mysteries. In each instance, the bull embodies raw strength and primal energy, a potent symbol that speaks to the depths of human instinct. Notice how the upward gaze and the position of the horns suggest an almost confrontational stance, evoking the bull's spirited nature. The bull-man motif brings to mind the Minotaur, trapped deep within the labyrinth. Le Corbusier seems to play with this idea, suggesting that we all, in a way, are trapped within our own mazes of modernity. The emotional effect is one of awe mixed with a sense of unease, perhaps mirroring the complex feelings humanity has towards its own primal nature. This motif’s journey through history shows the cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing and evolving with each new cultural landscape.