Reddingssloep en een schuit 1797 - 1838

This is a sketch by Johannes Christiaan Schotel, capturing two boats with pen and brush in gray and brown. The boats, symbols of maritime activity and trade, are prominent. The image evokes a feeling of movement and the ever-changing nature of life, reflecting humanity's relationship with the sea and the reliance on boats for survival. The motif of the boat, though, is far from new. One can think of the barque of the Egyptian sun god Ra, who sailed through the heavens. Or Noah's Ark, a vessel of salvation from the flood. Across cultures, the boat represents a journey, carrying the hopes, fears, and collective memories of humanity. This motif taps into a deep, subconscious understanding, resonating with our innate sense of exploration and survival. The boat, therefore, remains a potent symbol, a vessel carrying the weight of cultural memory through the currents of time.