Havengezicht 1650 - 1675

Abraham Casembroot rendered this harbor scene in pen and brown ink sometime in the 17th century. At first glance, it's a simple port scene, but let us delve deeper into the symbols, shall we? Observe the prominent tower, a recurring motif throughout history as a symbol of power, control, and vigilance. It echoes the Tower of Babel, a monument to human ambition that sought to reach the divine. Similarly, the boats, seemingly mere vessels of transport, evoke journeys across the sea, a metaphor for the voyage of life itself. Remember the ancient mariners who navigated by the stars? They are not unlike us, charting our courses through life's uncertain waters. Casembroot’s harbor is not just a physical place, but a psychological landscape filled with yearning, the unknown, and perhaps, a touch of melancholy. The harbor is the womb, and the tower, the phallus. Don't you see?