De balk 1894 - 1959

This print titled "The Beam," whose author and date of creation are unknown to us, presents a narrative of balance, assistance, and the perils of precariousness. Dominating the composition is the beam itself, a symbol laden with potential – for connection, progress, or, as depicted here, misstep. Observe how the act of crossing this beam mirrors the tightrope walker’s daring feat, evoking similar motifs found in ancient frescoes and Renaissance allegories. Yet, the narrative quickly descends into comical chaos. The man slips, falls, and requires rescue, a scene reminiscent of Icarus's fall, or perhaps a more lighthearted Bruegelian stumble. The cycle of misfortune and aid reveals a deep-seated cultural anxiety about instability. Even the collective effort at the bottom suggests a shared primal fear of helplessness. This beam becomes a stage where anxieties are played out, engaging our subconscious fascination with risk. The cyclical nature of the image, from upright to downfall and rescue, implies that such patterns of precariousness inevitably resurface.