Twee mannen en een vrouw voor de put bij een boerderij 1743

Jacques Philippe Le Bas etched this print of a farm scene sometime in the 18th century. At the heart of this humble scene lies a well—a profound symbol. Since antiquity, the well has been a crucial element in the lives of humanity, representing sustenance, community, and, perhaps most importantly, the depths of the unknown. In ancient Greece, wells were often sacred places, linked to nymphs and oracles, seen as portals to another world. Consider the tale of Narcissus, who met his tragic end captivated by his reflection in a well, a potent allegory for self-awareness and the dangers of vanity. The well here isn’t just a source of water, it's a focal point where lives intersect, where stories are drawn up along with the water. It's a quiet, ever-present witness to the ebb and flow of daily life, resonating with the collective unconscious, reminding us of our reliance on nature and each other.