Studies, vermoedelijk een hek 1827 - 1891

This sketchbook page, created by Johannes Bosboom, presents a study that includes what is thought to be a gate, composed in pencil. Note the recurring motif of the gate. A gate, historically, is a symbol of transition, marking the boundary between one space and another. Think of the gates of paradise, or even a city gate offering protection and control. This threshold, both physical and metaphorical, appears throughout history in various forms. Consider the triumphal arches of Rome, imposing structures meant to glorify power and victory, or the simple wooden gates of a village, symbolizing community and exclusion. The gate invites reflection on what is kept in, what is kept out, and the very act of passage. The gate captures our subconscious longing for what lies beyond, and perhaps a fear of what we leave behind. The gate is a universal symbol that continues to resonate deeply, manifesting in art and architecture across eras, each time carrying echoes of past meanings.