Interieur Witsen c. 1860 - 1915

This is a photograph by Willem Witsen, titled "Interieur," at the Rijksmuseum. It captures a domestic interior, notably adorned with decorative plates and porcelain figures. The plates, likely Delftware, evoke a sense of Dutch heritage and tradition, symbols of prosperity. The cow figurines, a maternal symbol of nourishment, are reminiscent of ancient fertility figures. Recall the Egyptian goddess Hathor, often depicted as a cow, representing motherhood. Such symbols speak to our collective unconscious. The arrangement of these objects on a shelf introduces notions of domesticity and display that transcend mere functionality, reflecting instead cultural values and personal identity. Each object is charged with cultural and emotional weight. Consider how these symbols reappear across time, evolving yet retaining echoes of their original significance. This photograph becomes a stage upon which the past and present meet.