Boys Bathing at Skagen. Summer Evening 

Peder Severin Krøyer captured this scene of boys bathing at Skagen on a summer evening in 1899. The full moon dominates, its reflection shimmering across the water, a symbol of cyclical time and the changing seasons. The motif of bathing children carries echoes from classical antiquity, from images of nymphs and the idyllic visions of Arcadia, representing purity, innocence, and a return to nature. Across cultures, the moon holds powerful feminine associations. In ancient Greece Selene drove her chariot across the night sky. The moon, ever-present yet ever-changing, embodies the cyclical nature of time and the enduring human connection to the cosmos. Krøyer evokes a primal connection to the natural world, tapping into a collective memory of innocence and harmony. Even today, this serene scene resonates, reminding us of the timeless allure of nature.