Landschap met rivier en dorp (Leuwibatu), West-Java c. 1816 - 1846

Adrianus Johannes Bik sketched this landscape with river and village in West Java in the 19th century. The scene is dominated by the natural landscape with hills, trees, and water, which represents not just a physical place but also the human interaction with nature. The image is rich in symbolism. The mountains represent steadfastness and spiritual aspiration, recurring in art across cultures from the Himalayas to Mount Olympus. They evoke ideas of permanence and transcendence. Water, depicted as a river here, is a classic symbol of life, purity, and renewal. It reflects the continuous flow of time and change. The village suggests community, shelter, and the everyday rhythms of life, anchoring the spiritual qualities of nature. The interplay of these elements invites a psychoanalytic interpretation. The mountain, as a stable, phallic symbol, contrasts with the river's fluid, feminine qualities. This contrast expresses fundamental polarities in human existence and the subconscious desire for harmony. This landscape, therefore, is not just a depiction of a place, but a mirror reflecting our deepest longings and memories.