Zittende beer van voren gezien c. 1657 - 1677

Marcus de Bye's etching presents us with a bear, seated squarely, its gaze direct and contemplative. The bear, throughout history, has been a potent symbol, embodying both untamed wilderness and a certain melancholy wisdom. Consider the bear in ancient mythologies, where it often bridges the human and animal worlds, a guardian of forests and a figure of immense strength, or, contrastingly, a symbol of clumsiness or awkwardness. De Bye's depiction echoes the ways the bear symbol has been used in fables to teach morals. The posture of the bear, seated with a human-like solemnity, invites a deeper look. It's not merely a representation of an animal, but a projection of human introspection. The bear thus becomes a mirror, reflecting our own capacity for both wildness and contemplation. As the image resonates through time, it reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols, constantly evolving yet forever rooted in our collective consciousness.