Duif op dak before 1931

This is Else Berg's woodcut print, "Dove on Roof." Here, the dove is perched atop a humble dwelling, an archetypal image weighted with symbolic meaning. The dove, a recurring motif through the annals of art, has long been a symbol of peace, purity, and reconciliation. Think of the dove released by Noah after the flood, a signal of hope. The bird has been associated with divine intervention, as seen in depictions of the Annunciation where a dove represents the Holy Spirit. Yet, observe how Berg’s dove is not set against a clear blue sky, but against the backdrop of buildings. This is a motif layered with complexity. Does it carry the hope of peace amidst the chaos of the modern world? Is it an evocation of something deeper, a collective memory of hope resurfacing in times of uncertainty? The dove and the roof create an interesting contrast, reminding us that even in the most unlikely places, peace can find a home.