Figuren, karren en manden c. 1863

This sketch by Cornelis Springer offers a glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary folk. Notice the figures, carts, and baskets, rendered with a delicate hand in muted tones. Consider the wheel, a symbol of progress and industry. It appears not only in the carts depicted here but also echoes throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamian chariots to the complex clockwork of Renaissance Europe. The wheel is a ubiquitous motif, representing the cyclical nature of time and the relentless march of progress. One can't help but ponder the psychological weight of these everyday images. Are they simply mundane sketches, or do they speak to a deeper, collective memory of human toil and perseverance? Perhaps, through these humble scenes, Springer taps into something primal, a shared history of labor and resilience. These symbols have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.