Winter 1601

Jan Saenredam engraved this image of Winter, and it now resides in the Statens Museum for Kunst. The stark, barren trees and frozen landscape establish a world touched by Winter's harshness. Note how the figures, warmly draped, stand defiantly against the cold. The gesture of holding hands becomes more than mere affection. It's an echo of countless images across eras, each bearing the weight of connection, dependence, and mutual support. Consider its ancient roots, like the Roman custom of *dextrarum iunctio*, where clasped hands symbolized a binding agreement. This intimate clasp reflects a deep, underlying human need to seek comfort and assurance in the face of adversity. Look how this motif resurfaces in Renaissance wedding portraits, where the joining of hands signifies marital union and continuity. The emotional undercurrent is palpable: the figures seek solace, mirroring a primal, almost subconscious, need for protection against the emotional cold. This symbol persists, evolving, reminding us of our shared human experience.