Reproductie van een tekening van een pijprokende man door David Oyens 1883

This is Léon Evely’s reproduction of a drawing by David Oyens, depicting a man enjoying a pipe. The act of smoking, seemingly simple, carries a rich history. The pipe, much like the scepter, became a symbol of power and ritual. Think of the Native American peace pipe, a potent emblem of unity and spiritual connection. Over time, however, the pipe's meaning evolved, transforming into a marker of leisure and contemplation. The smoke, once a sacred offering, now signifies personal reflection, a moment of introspection. Here, Oyens captures a man in a private act of contemplation, a wisp of smoke carrying his thoughts heavenward. Yet, let us not forget the pipe’s earlier incarnations, its sacred role in binding communities, in speaking to the divine. These echoes of the past subtly imbue Oyens’ drawing with a deeper resonance, stirring within us a recognition of time's cyclical dance.