A Mountainous Landscape with a Waterfall 1595 - 1605

Kerstiaen de Keuninck painted this mountainous landscape with oil on canvas in the late 16th or early 17th century. Dominating the scene, the towering cliffs evoke a sense of awe and the sublime, connecting us to the raw power of nature. Waterfalls cascade down these formidable rocks, representing the ceaseless flow of time and the transience of life. Notice the motif of light breaking through the clouds, a symbol seen across various cultures and epochs. It appears in religious art to signify divine intervention, and in Romantic landscapes, where light embodies enlightenment. This motif suggests the presence of something greater than ourselves, prompting contemplation on our place in the cosmos. It’s as if the artist is tapping into a collective memory, stirring a profound emotional response. Observe how such symbols evolve and resurface, reminding us that art is a continuous, cyclical dialogue across time.