Rijtuig met passagiers, versierd met planten en voortgetrokken door paarden c. 1895 - 1903

This captivating photograph by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler captures a horse-drawn carriage adorned with lush vegetation. The abundance of plants evokes ancient symbols of fertility, growth, and renewal. This harks back to the Roman festival of Floralia, a celebration of Flora, the goddess of flowers and springtime, in which carriages were similarly decorated with garlands. Here, this motif speaks to a deep-seated human desire for connection with nature, a theme that recurs across cultures and eras. The horse, a symbol of power and virility, further enriches the scene. It's a potent reminder of humanity's enduring relationship with the natural world. The image is not static. It vibrates with life and invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of existence and the subconscious appeal of natural symbols. The collective memory of our ancestors’ reverence for nature echoes within the photographic print.