Jongeman stapt uit een boot 1722 - 1782

This etching by Simon Fokke shows a young man stepping out of a boat towards a reclining river god. The youth’s gesture directing us inland echoes the god's, creating a visual dialogue about navigation and destiny. Consider how river gods, often depicted reclining and accompanied by a vessel of water, appear throughout history from ancient Greek sculptures to Renaissance fountains. These figures embody the life-giving and sometimes destructive power of rivers, representing control over nature. The boat, an ancient symbol of transition, carries the youth to new experiences. Its presence in turbulent water might stir deep emotional responses, reflecting the inherent human desire to venture forth and discover. Notice how these symbols resonate across cultures, reappearing in varied forms. These motifs are not static; they evolve, gaining new layers of meaning as societies change. This image’s psychological power lies in its invocation of shared human experiences, engaging viewers in an ongoing dialogue between past and present.