Gezicht op de baai van Messina, Sicilië Possibly 1664

Willem Schellinks rendered this vista of the Messina bay in Sicily with pen in hand. Dominating the foreground, the lighthouse stands as a beacon of civilization, guiding ships safely to port, an updated version of the Colossus of Rhodes. Notice how this symbol of protection mirrors the harbor cities of antiquity? From Alexandria to Genoa, these ports are not just trade hubs but emblems of cultural exchange, carrying with them a complex interplay of promise and peril. They represent the human desire for contact and expansion, but also the potential for conflict and the unknown terrors of the sea. Consider how this archetype evolves, reappearing in different forms, such as the fortified castles of the medieval period, each reflecting their epoch's anxieties. The lighthouse, then, is more than a navigational aid; it is a potent symbol of humanity's eternal negotiation with the world, resonating deeply within our collective consciousness.