Sloep met koningin Maria van Schotland en bemanning vaart af van kasteel Lochleven 1830 - 1881

Adolphe Mouilleron made this print depicting the escape of Queen Mary of Scotland from Lochleven Castle. Notice the moon dominating the scene, a potent symbol, here casting its light upon the fleeing Queen. The moon's presence is far from arbitrary; it speaks to a much older visual language. In various traditions, the moon is associated with feminine power, cycles, and the subconscious. Think of the lunar deities in ancient mythologies, or its connection to the tides, a symbol for the flux of human affairs. The moonlit escape taps into a deep well of collective memory, evoking themes of freedom and vulnerability. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, so too do the fortunes of individuals. Here, the moon does not only illuminate but also, perhaps, dictates the events unfolding. It’s a powerful reminder of the cyclical, non-linear nature of history, where motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.