De rotsen van Dover, de spiegel van de 'Holland' en schuinliggende schepen. Possibly 1778 - 1779

This ink drawing by Jan Brandes captures the cliffs of Dover with ships at sea. The vessels, rendered with a keen eye for detail, bear flags—potent symbols of national identity and maritime power. Consider the ship itself as a motif. From ancient Egyptian funerary boats to Viking longships, vessels have long symbolized journeys, transitions, and the traversing of boundaries. The slanting ships here evoke a sense of peril and the unpredictable nature of the sea, mirroring the broader human experience of navigating life's challenges. The flags atop these ships, signaling both identity and intent, are also emblems of the collective will and aspirations of a nation. Think of the Roman standards, or the banners of medieval knights—each a rallying point, pregnant with historical and psychological weight. This image resonates on a deeper level—the sea with its promise of adventure, but also the looming presence of the cliffs of Dover, suggesting something unsettling beneath the surface. This visual representation carries echoes of our shared cultural memories, where the sea is both a source of life and a harbinger of the unknown.