Rouen havn, med det gamle palads (Le port de Rouen) 1773 - 1779

This engraving depicts the port of Rouen, a scene dominated by ships and maritime activity. The ship, laden with meaning, appears across cultures, from ancient Egyptian funerary boats to Viking longships, each carrying souls or treasures across uncertain waters. Here, they symbolize commerce and connection, but also the inherent risks of venturing into the unknown. Look at the clouds above them, a motif common in art through time to provoke an emotional response, evoking a sense of the sublime. The crown and coat of arms at the bottom recall royal power and national identity, symbols that evolve over time, shifting from divine right to emblems of state. Such symbols tap into our collective memory, stirring primal emotions linked to authority and belonging. Notice how the artist uses the symbols to engage us emotionally, prompting deep-seated psychological responses that echo through history. These cyclical motifs, resurfacing in new contexts, speak to the enduring power of symbols in shaping our understanding of the world.