Man met paraplu op de bok van een rijtuig 1874

This etching by Maurice Bonvoisin captures a coachman with an umbrella. The umbrella, a shield against the elements, extends beyond mere protection, echoing the sacred canopies of religious art. We can see a similar motif in ancient depictions of royalty and divinity, where canopies signified status and divine protection. Consider the parasols in Persian art, symbols of kingship, or the baldachins in Renaissance paintings, sheltering the Virgin Mary. This symbol transcends time, evolving from divine safeguard to practical accessory, yet retaining its essence of protection and status. Here, the coachman's umbrella hints at his position, a guardian of passage. His thoughtful pose, hand to chin, evokes a sense of introspection, engaging us on a subconscious level, reminding us that even in mundane moments, symbols of power and protection persist, their meanings layered through centuries of cultural memory. We see the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols as they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.