Bouw van de ark van Noach c. 1645 - 1740

This engraving by Christoffel van Sichem II illustrates Noah constructing the Ark. The ark itself, an inverted hull looming large, symbolizes salvation amidst impending chaos. The workers swarm around it, their labor a testament to divine command and human effort. The construction of an ark against a catastrophic flood echoes in numerous mythologies, think of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Each of these tales, irrespective of its genesis, carries the motif of rebirth and cleansing, a psychological need to overcome the subconscious dread of obliteration and environmental annihilation. This symbol, the ark, has metamorphosed from a literal vessel into a potent allegory for survival, hope, and moral rectitude. Look at the figures sawing and hammering. These men, caught in the act of building, unconsciously embody the archetypal role of the ‘builder’ - the preserver of civilisation against a flood. The act of building signifies the enduring human spirit, battling against annihilation. The cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth continues to reverberate in the human psyche, manifesting in art, literature, and our collective consciousness.