Riviergezicht met molen 1873 - 1886

Wilhelmus Johannes Steenhoff created this etching, "River View with Mill," capturing a landscape dominated by two potent symbols. First, the windmill, a testament to human ingenuity and a harnessing of nature’s power, prominently features. Second, a more enigmatic post stands in the foreground. Throughout history, we have seen similar vertical poles across cultures, from ancient boundary markers to sacred pillars. These seemingly simple objects resonate with profound symbolic weight. Think of the Roman "Terminus," the god of boundaries, represented by a stone pillar, or the totemic poles erected by indigenous peoples. Such images evolve, as seen in the maypoles of Europe, or the gibbets of the Middle Ages. Steenhoff's inclusion of the post evokes a primal connection to land and place. This etching touches upon our collective memory, the subconscious echoes of ancient rituals and territorial claims. The post calls to mind a range of emotional responses, from security to foreboding, powerfully engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The image of the post reveals how symbols continually resurface, evolving and accruing new meanings across time.