Gezicht op de haven met zeilschepen en paarden te Antwerpen before 1898

This print, "View of the port with sailing ships and horses in Antwerp" by J. Maes, presents us with the bustling harbor of Antwerp. The dominant symbol here is, undoubtedly, the ship—a vessel of trade, exploration, and, fundamentally, of human connection across vast expanses. The ship motif can be traced back through millennia, from ancient Egyptian funerary boats, meant to carry souls to the afterlife, to the Viking longships, symbols of power and conquest. We even see its echo in the Christian allegory of the "Ship of the Church," navigating the seas of earthly existence. Here in Antwerp, a major port city, ships represent economic vitality and global interconnectedness. Consider how the collective memory of the sea—its perils and promises—might subconsciously affect our perception of this image. The ship is a symbol of both hope and trepidation. As such, the image draws us in, inviting us to contemplate the endless possibilities and inherent risks of venturing into the unknown. It’s a non-linear journey—the ship symbol always changing and coming back through time.