L'ancienne porte de Hattum (Gueldre) / De oude poort van Hattum (Gelderland) / Chateau sur la Meuse / Een kasteel aan de Maas 1833 - 1856

Glenisson and Van Genechten capture two views of Hattum in this print: above, the ancient gate reflected in the water, and below, a castle by the Meuse River. Reflections, as seen here, are ancient symbols. Mirrors and water have long been seen as portals to other worlds, gateways to the subconscious. Consider Narcissus, who wasted away, obsessed with his own reflection; or the legend of the Lady of the Lake, who dwells in the watery depths, an ethereal figure of mystery and power. This visual motif of reflection appears in various forms throughout history, each instance coloured by its specific cultural and historical context. Yet, the underlying psychological pull remains constant. The reflected image is both familiar and alien, a double that invites introspection and questions our own identities. This symbolism engages the viewer on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of introspection.