Een houthakker voor een vuur before 1898

This photograph by E. Derome features a woodsman tending a fire, a primal scene evoking both warmth and danger. Fire, throughout history, has been a potent symbol. Consider Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods, bestowing enlightenment and technology upon humanity, yet incurring divine wrath. Here, the woodsman stands before the flames, perhaps a solitary figure shaping his world, much like a modern-day Prometheus. This image reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols. The psychological implications of fire are profound. It represents not only destruction but also purification and transformation, tapping into collective memories of both creation and annihilation. The crackling fire and the woodsman’s presence may stir within us the profound and subconscious human connection to primal forces, engaging us with the artwork on a deeply instinctual level. Indeed, this symbol of fire, this elemental force, remains a cyclical constant, continuously reappearing, evolving, and adopting new significance across the ages.