Eenden in het water c. 1856 - 1870

This sketch, "Eenden in het water" by Maria Vos, presents a seemingly simple scene of ducks in water, yet it stirs deeper currents. The duck, a common motif across cultures, often symbolizes adaptability, resourcefulness, and even marital harmony. Consider its presence in ancient Egyptian art, where waterfowl were associated with the soul's journey, or in Chinese art, symbolizing fidelity and happiness. Here, Vos' ducks appear serene, floating unhurriedly on the water. This is a depiction not far removed from Leda and the Swan, the Greek myth where the swan—akin to our duck—becomes an emblem of transformation and the divine. Such symbols echo through time, morphing with each telling, yet retaining a primal connection to our collective unconscious. It reminds us that the mundane and the mythical are often intertwined, each informing the other in an unending dance.