Zittende boer met pijp voor een dampende ketel 1645

Cornelis Saftleven etched this image of a seated farmer with a pipe before a steaming kettle. Consider the smoke, a symbol that transcends mere representation. It recalls the ephemeral nature of life itself, rising and dissipating like memories. Smoke, as a motif, isn't confined to this etching. Think of the incense in religious paintings, carrying prayers heavenward, or the smoke in battle scenes, obscuring and creating chaos. This symbol is echoed through time, from ancient rituals to modern-day expressions of mourning. The symbolic weight of smoke has shifted through history, yet it remains rooted in our collective consciousness, a potent reminder of transience and transformation. It engages us on a subconscious level, evoking a primal awareness of our mortality and the ever-changing nature of existence. This same cyclical progression of smoke resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.