Gezicht op de rivier de Lek in Utrecht 1777

Dirk Verrijk sketched this view of the Lek River in Utrecht, capturing a serene waterway dotted with boats and flanked by quaint buildings. Water, as depicted here, holds profound symbolic weight across cultures and time. Think of ancient Egypt, where the Nile was not merely a river but the very lifeblood of civilization, or the Greek myths, populated by gods and nymphs inhabiting every spring and stream. Here, the river acts as both a pathway and a mirror, reflecting the sky and the human activities along its banks. The boats upon the Lek connect to the ancient motif of the vessel carrying souls or goods across water, like the ship of the dead in Egyptian mythology or the boats ferrying souls in Greek myths. The presence of these boats reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and the continuous flow of human activity, desires, and fears. The image engages us on a deep, subconscious level, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing. It is a reminder of the past and a reflection on our own fleeting existence.