Twee mannen laden stenen in een kar waarvoor ossen zijn gespannen before 1899

This is an illustration by E. Juncker depicting two men loading stones into a cart pulled by oxen. The scene evokes a timeless image of labor, connecting to the ancient motif of humans harnessing animal power to transform the earth. This motif of humans and animals working together has echoed through millennia, from Egyptian tomb paintings to classical pastoral scenes. Think of the oxen – their steady, patient strength has been a symbol of endurance and sustenance across cultures. Yet, the act of loading stones introduces a psychological dimension – a sense of burden, of heavy lifting that resonates with our shared human experience. The cyclical nature of this imagery is striking. The same scenes of labor, of humans shaping the earth, reappear throughout art history, each time imbued with new cultural and emotional significance. It speaks to a deep, subconscious connection with the rhythms of nature and the enduring human struggle to create and build.