Interior in an Inn, called "The Skaters" (De Schaatsenrijder) c. 1655

Cornelis Visscher’s etching captures a moment inside a cozy Dutch inn, where skaters gather. The hearth, a dominant feature, symbolizes not just warmth but also communal life. This symbol of the hearth transcends cultures, appearing in Roman villas as the sacred Vesta's flame, or in medieval tapestries. In those depictions, as in this one, it represents a gathering place. In Visscher's inn, the skaters' assembled poses and the details of shared pipes and drinks near the fire suggest intimacy and camaraderie. The hearth is the center of the home, representing safety, family, and continuity. The fire’s capacity to transform – to warm, to cook, to provide light, and to destroy – reflects the multifaceted nature of domestic life. In a psychoanalytic light, the hearth taps into primal memories of safety and nurture, resonating on a deeply subconscious level, a powerful force that draws us in. The symbol persists, evolving through time, constantly rekindled in our collective consciousness.