Preanger regentschappen 1819

Jannes Theodorus Bik painted this watercolor of the Preanger Regencies. Dominating the landscape are the mountains, ancient symbols of stability and spiritual elevation. Mountains have been viewed across cultures and history as the meeting point between the earthly and the divine. Recall the ziggurats of Mesopotamia, or Mount Olympus in Greek mythology. Similarly, in the Indonesian archipelago, mountains are considered sacred, embodying ancestral spirits and cosmic forces. This reverence is echoed in the Javanese concept of "kraton," where the king's palace mirrors the cosmic order, with mountains as its steadfast pillars. Observe how the tranquil village nestled at the foot of these mountains mirrors the human desire for shelter and grounding in the face of nature’s grandeur. It’s a motif that transcends time, manifesting in paintings from the European Alps to the landscapes of China, each reflecting a deep-seated connection between humanity and the natural world. This visual narrative subtly reminds us of the psychological need to find harmony between our transient existence and the eternal embrace of the earth.