Het schip Zoutman op kamelen 1807

J. Vos’s undated drawing shows the ship Zoutman lifted by camels. The ship is adorned with the Dutch flag and the intricate carvings on its stern. These carvings, often featuring mythological or allegorical figures, tap into a tradition of bestowing ships with a symbolic identity. Ships as a symbol of cultural memory and continuity can be traced back to ancient Egyptian funerary boats, intended to carry the soul to the afterlife. Similarly, Viking ships were not just vessels but symbols of power and exploration, often adorned with animalistic figureheads designed to ward off evil spirits and intimidate enemies. The name of this ship, Zoutman, evokes the saltiness of the sea, the journeys to far-off lands and the potential for both fortune and disaster that lurks in the collective memory. These symbols engage viewers on a subconscious level, reminding us of our entangled relationship with the sea, of cultural exchange and the inherent risks of exploration. The non-linear, cyclical progression of these symbols of seafaring have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.