Brug met houten leuning over een sloot 1876 - 1908

This etching by Martinus van Regteren Altena presents a bridge with a wooden railing over a ditch. The bridge is a potent symbol, representing transition and connection. Here, it invites us to cross from one state to another, a theme found across cultures. One might recall bridges in ancient Roman art, symbolizing imperial power and connectivity, or even the spiritual passage represented in medieval depictions of souls crossing over to the afterlife. The reflection in the water doubles the image. It has a mirroring effect suggesting introspection. This element, like the surface of a still pond, captures not just a visual likeness but also the intangible—a moment, a feeling. It is a continuous echo through time, a constant return of familiar motifs, each subtly altered, yet undeniably connected.