Stier aan rivieroever 1761 - 1784

This etching, made by Johannes Janson in the 18th century, depicts a bull on a riverbank, a seemingly simple pastoral scene. Yet, lurking beneath the surface is a tapestry of symbols as old as civilization itself. The bull, throughout history, has been a potent emblem of virility, strength, and untamed nature. From the Minoan bull-leaping rituals to the Egyptian Apis bull, this animal has been venerated and feared. Even in the biblical story of the Golden Calf, we see the bull as a symbol of raw power and idolatry, a primal force that can both create and destroy. Here, the bull stands proudly, a master of its domain. There’s a clear sense of dominance. Consider the pose - the bull, though an ordinary farm animal, brings to mind ancient gods and mythical beasts. It connects us to a deep, shared past, and the image, etched in lines, echoes through time, a reminder of the enduring power of symbols.