Gezelschap rond een tafel met kaarsen 1828

This print, "Gezelschap rond een tafel met kaarsen," by Philippus Velijn, dating from around 1828, presents us with a scene illuminated by candlelight. The gathering around a table invites us to consider the symbolism inherent in communal meals and shared light. Consider, for instance, the Last Supper, where the light and table signify profound spiritual communion, replicated through history in domestic scenes of warmth, connection, and shared experiences. Notice how the flickering candlelight has a dual nature. Light, a symbol of knowledge and divine presence since antiquity, and shadow, of mystery and the unknown, converge, creating a scene of both comfort and contemplation. This motif, of people gathered together around a light source, reappears across different times and places, constantly shifting in meaning, yet ever potent. It reflects our collective memory, and our subconscious desires for belonging and understanding.