Fragmenten van een ijzeren kist c. 1590 - 1596

This fragmented iron chest, made by an anonymous artist, speaks volumes despite its ruined state. The chest, once a symbol of security and safekeeping, presents us with the remnants of what it used to be. It features strong, visible iron banding, which suggests an attempt to reinforce its structural integrity. The motif of a strongbox appears across cultures, from ancient Egypt to Renaissance Europe. This desire to secure, to protect, has always driven humanity. Yet here, the box is broken, its contents exposed or lost. The chest reminds us of the cyclical nature of security, the inevitable entropy that affects all things. Like the shifting sands of time, what we guard so fiercely is destined to change. The visual impression of destruction engages us on a deep, subconscious level as we reflect upon the fragility of human endeavors. It serves as a mirror, reflecting our fears and hopes in a world of constant flux, and invites contemplation about the futility of permanence.