Zandvoort aan Zee 1612 - 1652

This etching, "Zandvoort aan Zee," was made by Claes Jansz. Visscher in the Dutch Golden Age. Dominating the skyline, the church spire topped with a cross is an assertion of Christian presence and faith, both beacons for sailors and a symbol of divine protection over the community. The cross, however, is more than a mere religious marker. Its roots are much older and echo through time. Before Christianity, similar symbols represented cosmic balance, the intersection of earthly and divine realms. From ancient sun wheels to the Celtic cross, we see this motif reappear, each time layered with new cultural meanings. Here, its presence elicits a sense of hope and continuity. The church, a solid structure amidst the shifting sands, conveys a sense of timelessness. The people carry on their work in the foreground, evoking a sense of reassurance that transcends the individual lives depicted, offering solace and connection in an ever-changing world.