Boten op het water 1855 - 1904

This small etching, made by Arnoud Schaepkens, presents us with a vision of boats upon the water. Dominating the scene is a boat with a large sail, a vessel of commerce and transport. But it is the symbol of the boat itself—a vessel navigating the waters—that carries deeper resonances. Throughout history, across cultures, the boat appears as a potent metaphor for life’s journey. From the ancient Egyptians who sailed the Nile to the Norsemen crossing vast oceans, the boat symbolizes passage, transition, and the human quest for exploration. Think, also, of Charon’s boat ferrying souls across the river Styx. The boat taps into our collective memory, evoking subconscious fears and aspirations. It encapsulates our vulnerability amidst the overwhelming forces of nature, while at the same time demonstrating our ingenuity and resilience in harnessing those forces. The rhythmic motion of rowing, echoed in countless tales, carries an emotional weight. The symbol of the boat, therefore, continues its non-linear journey through our collective consciousness, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and accumulating new layers of meaning with each historical context.