Vijf schetsen van vaartuigen onder zeil, Zuidoost-Molukken 1824

This pencil drawing depicts five sketches of sailing vessels in the Southeast Moluccas, captured by Adrianus Johannes Bik. These are Makassan or Buginese paduwakang boats, once vital for trade among the islands. Here, the boats are vessels of commerce and connection. Think back, though, to the ancient Egyptian barques transporting souls across the Nile to the afterlife, or the Viking longships carrying warriors to new lands. The sea, the boat - these have always represented journeys, both literal and spiritual. The sail, catching the wind, becomes a symbol of destiny, of forces beyond our control. The mast, a vertical axis, mirrors the tree of life, anchoring the vessel to the earthly realm while reaching for the heavens. There is an emotional resonance, isn't there? A yearning for exploration, for the unknown, deeply ingrained in our collective memory. The image of a boat at sea stirs something primal within us—a sense of adventure, a touch of melancholy, and perhaps, a whisper of hope. These symbols endure, evolving yet echoing across time.