Waterput bij een knotwilg 1809 - 1850

This is Barend Cornelis Koekkoek’s rendering of a well by a pollard willow. The well is an ancient symbol, a source of life and a gathering place, and the tree provides shelter from the elements. This brings to mind similar imagery from antiquity: the sacred groves, the oracles by springs, and the tales of nymphs guarding water sources. These archetypal images tap into our collective memory, evoking a sense of timeless connection to nature and the life-sustaining power of water. In earlier times, the well and the tree were seen as sacred sites, embodiments of spirits, and gateways to other worlds. Consider, too, the cyclical return of such symbols. In our modern world, despite technological advancements, the human psyche still resonates with these elemental images of water and trees. The well is a profound symbol that persists through cultural shifts, reminding us of our elemental connection to nature.