Fotoalbum van Jet Vonk uit Zuid-Celebes c. 1935 - 1947

This is a photograph album created by Jet Vonk from South Celebes. Look closely at the recurring motifs of water, mountains, and architecture. Together, these elements construct a landscape that is not merely scenic but deeply symbolic. Throughout history, mountains have represented stability and enlightenment, found in the sacred peaks of mythologies worldwide. Water, with its continuous flow, mirrors the ceaseless cycle of life, death, and rebirth—a concept revered in Eastern philosophies. And, of course, the architecture suggests an intersection of human endeavor and spiritual aspiration. Consider how such landscapes appear across cultures. The ‘spiritual retreat’ is a universal yearning, manifested in art from the meditative gardens of Zen Buddhism to the Romantic landscapes of Europe. They are, in essence, visualizations of the soul’s quest for serenity and enlightenment. Here, the motifs are more than just scenery, engaging the viewer on a deep, subconscious level.