Schilder met waterpijp en zijn model 1838

Paul Gavarni’s print from the mid-19th century, now in the Rijksmuseum, depicts an artist with his model, offering us a glimpse into the bohemian world of artistic creation. The most striking element is perhaps the water pipe, or hookah, clutched by the reclining model. This object is more than mere prop; it evokes a world of Eastern exoticism and sensory indulgence. The pipe itself becomes a symbol of altered states, of inspiration drawn from the depths of the subconscious. Think of the ancient rituals of divination, where smoke was used as a conduit to the spiritual realm. We see echoes of this in the art of later Symbolists, such as Odilon Redon, who sought to capture the elusive world of dreams and the unconscious mind. Note how this symbol has traveled through time, morphing from a sacred object to a tool for artistic inspiration. It's a fascinating journey, revealing our ongoing quest to tap into the hidden wellsprings of creativity and imagination.