Os c. 1808 - 1857

Abraham Teerlink sketched this ox with pen and grey ink in the early 19th century. The figure of the ox, with its stout build and prominent horns, immediately conjures notions of strength and virility. The domestication of the ox has long been a cultural symbol, cropping up in art across diverse eras. Consider the ancient Minoan bull-leaping frescoes or the sacrificial oxen of classical antiquity: these works reveal the animal’s potent connection to ritual and power. The motif persists even today, as we can see in the rampant bull of modern financial markets. This illustration reminds us that symbols are never fixed. The image of the ox continues its journey through the collective memory, inviting new interpretations with each generation.