Vijver in het Haagse Bos bij avond 1851 - 1924

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this print called ‘Pond in the Haagse Bos at Night’. Here, the pond mirrors the trees, a scene of quiet reflection. Water, throughout art history, symbolizes both purification and the subconscious, a reflective surface revealing hidden depths. Think of the nymph Echo, whose body withered away until all that remained was her voice, the aural double, a reflection of Narcissus, who in turn, wasted away staring at his own reflection in the water. The pond in this print similarly invites a deep introspection. It can be a place of quietude and solitude, calling to mind the psychological aspects of reflection. Consider how this simple scene mirrors our own minds, and how the pond itself has been transformed in our collective memory. The reflection on the water's surface is more than a mere visual phenomenon; it's a powerful force engaging us on a deep, subconscious level.