Hutten van de bemanning van de bij Texel gestrande schoener Martha (voorzijde), 1848 1848

This 1848 drawing depicts the huts of the crew of the schooner Martha, shipwrecked off the coast of Texel. The flag atop the main hut is more than a symbol of nationhood; it's a beacon of resilience. Flags, throughout history, have represented identity and solidarity, evolving from mere banners into potent emblems of belonging and shared fate. One is reminded of Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People where the flag becomes a symbol of revolutionary fervor. Here, the flag is of survival. Consider the primal emotions embedded in this image - the stark landscape, the rudimentary shelters, the figures huddled together. Such scenes tap into our collective memory, recalling ages of migration and displacement. The act of building shelter, of creating community in the face of adversity, resonates deeply, echoing through time. This image reminds us that while history progresses, human experiences often cycle back, presenting new faces of the old motifs.