Herinneringen aan Horus II 1981

André Gouw's drawing presents us with potent symbols, bridging ancient echoes with contemporary resonance. The Horus figure, crowned and regal, immediately conjures associations with Egyptian mythology, where Horus embodies kingship, protection, and divine power. Yet, the iconography here is not simply repeated. The act of crowning, a gesture laden with authority and legitimacy, is complicated by the figure's avian features, hinting at transformation and the fluidity of identity. Consider how similar gestures appear in medieval coronation scenes, or even modern-day ceremonies, each echoing a primal desire for order and divine sanction. Notice too the unusual object held aloft, its form suggesting both vessel and burden. This evokes earlier images of offering and sacrifice, yet with a modern ambiguity. Does it represent knowledge, sustenance, or perhaps a darker, unconscious weight? This drawing is not merely a depiction but an engagement with the cyclical nature of symbols. It prompts us to consider how ancient archetypes resurface, transformed, in our modern psyche, forever shaping our understanding of power, identity, and the human condition.