Dancing couple(detail) 1663

Jan Steen captured this detail of a dancing couple, using oil on canvas. The musicians playing the violin and flute are powerful symbols of celebration and community, but also something deeper. Consider how the violin, with its origins in the medieval rebec, has long been associated with festivities. And the flute, a pastoral instrument, evokes images of Arcadian landscapes and carefree revelry. The act of making music has always been deeply intertwined with the human spirit, a way to express joy. However, in other artworks, the flute has appeared as an instrument of seduction, and as an instrument to express melancholia. These two elements are intertwined; as the sound and memory of the dances of past celebrations trigger in us the awareness of the passing of time, and a longing to hold on to those moments. Such is the cyclical nature of symbols, recurring in our collective psyche and embodying both joy and introspection. This reminds us of the power of art to reflect our shared human experience.