Les Cigognes 1865 - 1877

Félix Bracquemond etched "Les Cigognes," showcasing storks against a stark architectural backdrop. These birds, long revered, carry the weight of cultural memory. The stork, a symbol of fertility and good fortune, appears across cultures. In ancient Egypt, the Bennu bird, a heron, represented rebirth and immortality. In European folklore, storks deliver babies, linking them to new life and familial joy. Yet, here, there is no joy; they stand stooped against the wall, seemingly in despair. This juxtaposition highlights the complex emotional power of symbols. The stork, burdened by its associations, embodies both hope and a melancholy resignation, engaging our subconscious on a profound level. These symbols persist, evolving and resurfacing, reminding us of the cyclical nature of cultural memory.