Voorziet u deezen tyd, op dat de winterdagen, / Uw by een warme haard, niet al te veel doen klagen, / Maar 't is de groote vraag: schoon dat men slagtmaand teld, / Hebt gy voor vleesch en spek een goede beurs met geld? 1795 - 1819

This print, made by Schalekamp and van de Grampel, presents a series of vignettes on the seasonal preparations for winter. At its heart lies the pig, a powerful symbol throughout European iconography. We see it led to slaughter, butchered, and transformed into winter provisions. The pig, often associated with abundance and prosperity, has deep roots in pagan and agricultural rituals. Consider the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, where the pig was sacrificed to ensure a bountiful harvest. Here, the image of the pig transcends its immediate context. It echoes in medieval tapestries, Renaissance paintings, and even modern advertisements. The cyclical nature of the seasons and the need to prepare for winter touch a collective memory, reminding us of humanity's enduring relationship with nature and survival. It is an image loaded with cultural memory, engaging us on a subconscious level, reminding us of life's continuous cycles.