Haas 1840 - 1880

This quick sketch of a hare was made by Johannes Tavenraat using pen, brush, and gray ink. A universal symbol, the hare has been loaded with cultural associations, representing everything from fertility and prosperity to timidity and vulnerability. Across various cultures, it features prominently, its symbolism shifting with the tides of time. In ancient Egypt, the hare was associated with the lunar cycle. We then see it surface in medieval Christian art as a symbol of the Resurrection. Consider how its image recurs in folklore and children's stories, in which its cleverness is celebrated. Yet, it also taps into our primal fears, embodying fragility. The fleeing hare stirs feelings of empathy, perhaps echoing our own struggles for survival. This symbol, pregnant with meaning, continues its endless migration through our collective consciousness.