Oude man met wijnkan 1808

This is a book cover from 1708, an etching by an anonymous artist, depicting an old man embracing a wine jug. Note how the jug isn't just a vessel; it’s practically a character. From antiquity, the wine jug or amphora was a symbol of abundance, of Dionysian revelry, but also of the life force itself. We see variations of this motif across time – think of Bacchus, eternally youthful, cradling his cup, or even the more modern interpretations of the "spirit" of drink. This old man is a figure of Silenus, the tutor and companion of Dionysus, often portrayed as drunk and jolly. Consider how the act of holding—protecting—this vessel resonates. It’s not merely about intoxication. It’s about safeguarding a source of vitality, a connection to the earth, to pleasure, to the very essence of being. This image, simple as it seems, reminds us of the enduring human quest to capture and hold onto moments of joy and connection, to keep the spirit, quite literally, alive.