Landweg met huizen 1876 - 1911

Adolphe van Weezel Errens created this etching, "Landweg met huizen," a landscape featuring rural houses and a well. The well, with its stark, branching arms, commands our attention. Consider the symbolism of wells throughout history. In ancient times, wells were sources of life, community gathering points, and even sacred places, believed to be entrances to the underworld. Notice how van Weezel Errens renders the bare trees alongside the well, a visual echo of its reaching arms. This juxtaposition evokes a sense of both life-giving sustenance and stark, unyielding presence. Recall the recurring motif of the well in folklore and fairy tales. Often, it appears as a place of transformation, reflecting our deepest desires and fears. Here, the artist uses the well to engage viewers on a subconscious level, stirring emotions tied to our collective past. This image reminds us that symbols aren't static; they carry layers of meaning accumulated across generations, evolving and resurfacing in art, literature, and our collective unconscious.