Eenden c. 1839 - 1872

Johannes Tavenraat sketched these ducks with graphite, capturing the intimate details of their forms. Ducks, seemingly simple creatures, carry profound symbolism that stretches across cultures and eras. Consider the Egyptian depictions of ducks alongside the Nile, where they represented sustenance and divine provision, connecting the mundane with the sacred. Observe how these unassuming waterfowl echo in the work of Courbet, their presence subtly alluding to the rhythms of nature and the cycle of life. The duck's symbolic journey doesn't end there; it resurfaces in unexpected places, like in children’s stories, signifying guidance and adaptation. This humble animal, through its various appearances, reflects our collective subconscious, embodying survival, resourcefulness, and an elemental connection to water. The duck calls to something primal within us, a quiet acknowledgement of nature’s ever-present influence.