Straatgezicht met rechts een vrouw op de rug gezien before 1894

This photograph by Hendrik Herman van den Berg captures a street scene, dominated by a woman seen from behind. The averted gaze, the Rückenfigur, is a potent motif. It speaks to a sense of introspection, of being on the threshold of a journey, both physical and psychological. We find echoes of this figure throughout art history, from Caspar David Friedrich's solitary wanderers to more modern depictions of alienation. Consider how this motif has been imbued with varied meanings over time. Initially, the Rückenfigur represented Romantic contemplation of nature's grandeur. In later eras, it came to symbolize the individual's isolation within the modern world. This reflects our collective memory, a subconscious acknowledgement of the self's ever-shifting place in the universe. The emotional impact is profound, inviting us to ponder our own relationship to the world. And so, this figure, forever walking away, embodies an ongoing cycle of change, resonating with our deepest anxieties and hopes across generations.