Gezicht op de Amstel bij Huis De Omval 1708 - 1740

This print of the Amstel River, by Matthijs Pool, captures a tranquil waterside scene. But within it lie symbols that ripple through time. Note the clouds gathered above—a motif we see echoed across centuries of art, from ancient Greek depictions of Zeus to Renaissance storms signaling divine intervention. Here, the clouds possess the same symbolic weight, perhaps reflecting the volatile nature of trade. Then, consider the water itself. Water is one of the most ubiquitous symbols and can be read as both nurturing and destructive. It’s no coincidence that we see the same duality reflected in mythologies across the globe—from the calming River Styx to the chaotic floods of the Old Testament. The artist invokes a kind of primordial memory, tapping into the elemental power of water to stir our deepest subconscious. These motifs, deeply embedded in our collective psyche, remind us of the cyclical nature of history. The river flows, and with it, the currents of human experience continue.