Vrouw aan een spoelmolen 1747

This line engraving by Frans de Bakker depicts a woman operating a complex spinning machine. The spinning wheel, a prominent symbol, has long been associated with the Fates in classical mythology, those goddesses who spin the thread of life, measure its length, and cut it. The turning wheel also evokes the cyclical nature of time and existence itself. We see this motif echoed across cultures, from the Buddhist wheel of dharma to the ever-turning wheel of fortune. But here, the wheel is not merely a symbol of fate or fortune, but of human ingenuity and labor. The mechanical complexity of this spinning machine speaks to a shifting worldview, where human actions are not simply controlled by the Fates, but by an emerging industrial age. Observe how the artist uses the rhythmic motion of the wheel to create a mesmerizing pattern. This reflects a primal fascination with cycles, prompting a deep, subconscious contemplation of time and destiny. Like the symbols of old, the image resonates with the viewer, engaging us in a profound, timeless dialogue about the human condition.