Gerard Reve met een ezel Possibly 1969

This is a photograph of the Dutch writer Gerard Reve embracing a donkey, taken by the Dutch National Press Agency, Anefo. The image resonates with religious symbolism; Reve, a Catholic convert, is portrayed in a Christ-like pose, head inclined against the donkey. This contrasts with Reve's reputation as 'Holland's greatest blasphemer', a writer who challenged the cultural norms of the time with his open exploration of homosexual themes and religious questioning. How might the image function as a commentary on the relationship between the artist and wider social and cultural institutions? Was Reve embracing of the Catholic church or was he satirizing it? Was he thumbing his nose at the establishment or embracing a more pastoral, simple life? To understand more, explore Reve's literary works and the archives of Dutch cultural history. Consider the cultural and social position of the Catholic church in post-war Netherlands. The image invites questions about the role of the artist in society, and the complex interplay of religious and social identities.