Twee figuren in een roeiboot op het water 1895 - 1896

Here, Willem Cornelis Rip sketches with pencil two figures in a rowboat upon the water. Consider the boat itself, a motif laden with cultural and historical significance. In ancient mythologies, boats often symbolize journeys—both literal and spiritual. Think of Charon ferrying souls across the River Styx, or the Egyptian sun god Ra traversing the heavens in his solar boat. The boat in Rip's sketch, however, presents a more quotidian scene. Yet, even here, echoes of deeper meanings resonate. The act of rowing, of propelling oneself across water, evokes a sense of transition, of moving from one state to another. It mirrors the stages of life. As we observe these figures, let us acknowledge how Rip’s boat becomes more than just a vessel; it is a symbol of life's continuous voyage.