Sint Servaasbrug te Maastricht 1871 - 1906

Pieter de Josselin de Jong created this print of Sint Servaasbrug in Maastricht using etching techniques. Observe how the bridge serves as a powerful symbol, a visual metaphor, really. It is not merely an architectural structure but a representation of connection. Bridges have long been used to represent transitions – think of the bridge in countless myths where heroes must cross to reach new realms. Consider the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, similarly a symbol of continuity, but filled with bustling shops unlike this solitary bridge. Our bridge, like the Roman pontes, is a vital artery, pulsing with the lifeblood of commerce and communication. In this etching, the arches and their reflections create a complex network of meanings, each echoing the other, each a shadow of memory. Notice, too, how the water below mirrors the bridge’s arches, suggesting a cyclical flow of time. The emotional weight of this symbol, as a meeting point, can be a powerful force, engaging viewers at a subconscious level. These symbols resurface and evolve, each time taking on new layers of meaning, endlessly shifting and adapting.