Juni 1722 - 1784

Simon Fokke created this piece called 'Juni,' an etching, during the 18th century. It evokes the month of June through a landscape replete with classical motifs. Note the prominent waterfall, a symbol of nature's power and purity. Waterfalls often appear in art as metaphors for cleansing, renewal, and the untamed forces of the natural world, stretching back to ancient Roman depictions of grottoes and fountains. Consider how this motif resonates with the viewer on a subconscious level, tapping into a deep-seated longing for harmony with nature. In contrast, the image includes a distant castle. This symbol, which has evolved over time, can evoke a sense of aspiration, dreams, and the sublime, engaging us on a deep, perhaps even subconscious, level. In the cyclical progression of symbols, we see how the waterfall and the castle have resurfaced and evolved to take on new meanings across history.