Steinerne Brücke mit zwei Anglern bei einem Fluß 

Hendrik Spilman created this ink drawing of a stone bridge with two anglers on a river in the 18th century. The overarching symbol of water, a motif repeated throughout time, carries a wealth of cultural significance. As a source of life, rivers have been essential to civilisation, yet also representing the unknown, the subconscious, and the ever-changing flow of time. In antiquity, rivers were borders; to cross them was to enter a new, unknown territory. The ancient Greeks thought of the river Styx as the border between life and death. This deeply-rooted symbolic meaning has reappeared time and again, in myths, art, and literature. The image invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of human experience and the timeless allure of the natural world. Its emotional depth stirs a profound sense of connection to nature, engaging viewers on a visceral, subconscious level. As this symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, its progression through the ages reveals the complex and deeply rooted ties between culture and the human psyche.