Twee ossen, één schuurt de kop tegen een paal 1655 - 1728

This etching presents two oxen, one rubbing its head against a post, captured by an anonymous hand. The ox, a symbol of strength and labor, is here depicted in a moment of peculiar repose. The gesture of rubbing against the post—is it mere relief from an itch, or something more profound? Consider the ancient bull cults, from Minoan Crete to the Near East, where the bull embodied virility, power, and sacrifice. The simple act of scratching becomes an echo of ritual, a primal connection to the animal's instinct. How has this imagery been passed down through history, shifting in meaning? Perhaps it's a projection of our own subconscious desires for release, for a return to a more grounded state. This humble etching quietly engages viewers, resonating with the complex interplay of culture, memory, and the enduring power of primal imagery.