Schilderij Het IJ voor Amsterdam met de 'Gouden Leeuw' door Willem van de Velde II, coll. Rijksmuseum 1850 - 1880

This photograph by H. F. Oelrichs captures a painting by Willem van de Velde II depicting the IJ harbor of Amsterdam, dominated by ships, the most prominent of which is the 'Gouden Leeuw'. The ship, beyond its practical function, acts as a powerful emblem. From ancient Egyptian funerary boats to Viking longships, vessels have symbolized journeys—both literal and metaphorical. The presence of the 'Gouden Leeuw', or Golden Lion, extends this symbolism. The lion, a solar symbol with roots in ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures, appears across time in heraldry and mythology, signifying courage, nobility, and royalty. Consider how the ship and the lion intertwine here. This coupling speaks to our collective fascination with exploration, trade, and the projection of power. This symbolic language engages with deeply rooted archetypes. They appeal to the subconscious narratives of ambition and legacy that continue to resonate within us. The lion sails on, its symbolic cargo undiminished.