Zeilschepen op open water en zeilschepen bij een kustlijn met huizen 1834 - 1906

Maria Vos sketched these sailing ships on open water, and sailing ships near a coastline with houses, with graphite on paper. The image encapsulates the human endeavor to traverse the seas, a motif laden with historical and cultural weight. From ancient Egyptian barques to Viking longboats, ships have symbolized journeys—literal voyages, and metaphorical passages through life. Note how the sails catch the wind; they are reminiscent of the winged figures found in classical art, such as Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, thus embodying ambition and triumph. The sea itself is a powerful subconscious symbol, representing the depths of the unconscious, the ebb and flow of emotions, and the primordial source of life. The juxtaposition of the ships against the coastline suggests a liminal space—the boundary between the known and the unknown. Here, the non-linear progression of symbols illustrates the enduring human drive to explore, connect, and confront the mysteries of existence.