Kasteel met twee ruiters 1866 - 1924

Bernard Willem Wierink etched this castle scene with two riders, and its dreamlike quality evokes a sense of timelessness. The castle, a dominant symbol, represents not only physical fortification but also the fortification of ideas and traditions. Think of the medieval castle, often depicted in tapestries and illuminated manuscripts, as a center of power, a repository of knowledge, and a stage for dynastic dramas. Here, the riders approach the castle, prompting us to consider their journey. Are they returning home, or are they venturing into the unknown? Consider the recurring motif of the journey, or the "via," as I've come to call it, which appears in countless forms across cultures and eras, from pilgrimages to the symbolic quests in Renaissance art. The act of riding—of moving between places—speaks to our universal longing for connection, for understanding, and perhaps, for a place to call home. Wierink invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of human experience, where symbols persist and evolve, carrying layers of meaning that resonate with our deepest selves.