Standbeeld van de Winter 1727

Matthijs Pool created this print, Standbeeld van de Winter, sometime before 1740. The dominant visual symbol here is a figure representing Winter, caught between vulnerability and resilience, presented from two points of view. The motif of Winter, often depicted as an old, cold figure, has roots stretching back to ancient Roman art. Consider how the Greeks depicted Chronos, god of time, as an old man: a visual metaphor for passing time. Likewise, the image of winter can be interpreted as the end of a cycle, a period of rest before rebirth. The folded arms speak of discomfort and protection, a gesture seen across cultures to express a defensive posture against the cold. The recurring iconography of Winter throughout art history serves as a reminder of our collective, cyclical experience of nature. The emotional weight of this image lies in its stark representation of human vulnerability and a sense of time's unyielding progression. It is a potent symbol, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.