Karikatuur van een schietende man 1620 - 1687

This caricature of a shooting man, etched by François Collignon, presents us with more than just a comic figure. Here, the gun is not merely an instrument of power, but a symbol laden with cultural and psychological weight. Consider how this motif echoes through time, from the heroic archers of antiquity to the modern soldier. The posture of aiming, the focused gaze—they evoke a primal intensity, a dance with life and death that resonates deeply within our collective memory. In antiquity, we can follow this gesture in paintings representing the god Apollo holding his bow. The act of shooting embodies a complex emotional state, a blend of aggression, control, and even fear. Perhaps this image taps into our subconscious anxieties, reminding us of the inherent violence that simmers beneath the surface of civilization. It shows us how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across historical contexts.