Verkoper van gebakken appels en peren bij maanlicht 1660

This etching by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli depicts a seller of baked apples and pears under a crescent moon, a scene imbued with layers of symbolic meaning. The moon, with its cyclical phases, has long been associated with transformation, mystery, and the passage of time. Here, it casts an ethereal glow, suggesting a world where the mundane act of selling food takes on a dreamlike quality. This celestial body appears in various forms throughout history, from the lunar deities of ancient civilizations to its recurring presence in Romantic poetry, each time echoing themes of change and introspection. We see a connection between past and present, consciousness and subconsciousness in this image. Mitelli presents a motif of hope amidst hardship as he suggests the resilience of the human spirit and humanity's ability to find light even in the darkest of times. This cyclical image reminds us of how symbols constantly resurface, evolve, and gain new significance across historical contexts.