Portret van drie mannen voor Harz-decor in wandelkostuums met wandelstokken, paraplu's, gidsje, rugzakken en flesje c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph by E. Rose captures three men in their hiking attire against a Harz mountain backdrop. Note their walking sticks and hats – symbols of a journey, and the romantic pursuit of nature. The walking stick, a simple tool for navigating the earth, echoes through time. It appears in ancient staves of pilgrims and shepherds, becoming a scepter of authority in royal portraits. Think of the Greek god Hermes, his caduceus a symbol of travel, commerce, and negotiation between worlds. Here, the sticks are humble, yet they connect these men to a lineage of wanderers and seekers. They are participants in a collective narrative of exploration, a quest for meaning in the landscape. The act of walking itself is a metaphor for life's journey, laden with personal and cultural significance, engaging our subconscious on a deep level. Thus, these men are not merely posing for a photograph; they are stepping into a role, reenacting an age-old story. The mountain calls, and they answer, their symbols of travel forever captured.