Færge over Tiberen. "Noahs Ark" 1870 - 1877

This anonymous drawing depicts a scene of the Tiber River with Noah's Ark, rendered with ink on paper. The Ark itself is a potent symbol, evoking the biblical story of salvation and rebirth after the great flood. Notice how the animals and figures enter the ark within the river landscape in the background. The motif of the ark resonates across cultures, symbolizing a vessel of hope amidst chaos. Its appearance here brings to mind similar themes in ancient Mesopotamian art, where boats often represented journeys into the afterlife or transitions between worlds. The ark, in essence, becomes a container for cultural memory, holding within it the hopes and fears of humanity. The emotional weight of this image lies in its subtle suggestion of both disaster and deliverance. The viewer is drawn into a subconscious dialogue between the terror of the flood and the promise of a new beginning. The recurring symbol of the ark across millennia speaks to our collective need for reassurance and renewal. It is a timeless motif, continually reborn in different forms, reflecting our enduring quest for meaning in the face of adversity.