Dolomieten aan zee 1833 - 1879

Auguste Numans created this print of the Dolomites by the sea, a landscape dominated by the presence of the cliffs. These cliffs, recurring throughout art history, aren’t merely geological formations; they stand as symbols of steadfastness. They evoke profound psychological responses, and one immediately recalls Caspar David Friedrich's solitary figures silhouetted against stark, rocky expanses. Consider how the motif of the mountain has changed in meaning over time. In medieval art, mountains were frequently backdrops for religious events. Their formidable height was often associated with the divine. By the Romantic era, however, they had come to symbolize nature’s sublime power. Think of the emotional impact that nature has on our collective memory. The mountains elicit a subconscious sense of awe and humility, which persists through time. The non-linear progression of symbols like mountains constantly resurfaces and evolves.