Vertrek van Willem V, 1795 1853 - 1861

Hendrik Dekker created this engraving titled "Departure of Willem V, 1795." It freezes in time a pivotal moment of transition. Observe the ship, a vessel not just of transport but of hope and uncertainty. Ships, throughout history, carry profound symbolism. Think of the "Ship of Fools," or the mythological Ship of the Argonauts. They represent journeys into the unknown, promising rebirth, but also fraught with peril. Here, the vessel bears Willem V away from a homeland engulfed by revolution. The sea, an ancient symbol of the subconscious, mirrors the turmoil within. The ship becomes a conduit, carrying not only people but their collective anxieties and aspirations. In our psyche, departure can trigger deep-seated fears of abandonment and loss. Note how this iconography of departure and hope—or despair—continues to reappear, each time colored by a new historical context. It is a powerful echo resonating through the ages, a constant reminder of our shared human condition.