Landschap met drie ganzen bij een vervallen hekwerk 1893

This etching by Herman Boulenger captures a landscape with three geese near a dilapidated fence. The fence, a potent symbol of boundaries and transitions, invites us to consider its deeper cultural resonances. Think of the ancient Roman god Janus, guardian of doorways, embodying the passage between spaces. In this etching, the decaying fence mirrors Janus's duality, suggesting not just physical enclosure, but the psychological thresholds we constantly navigate. The geese, traditionally symbols of vigilance and domesticity, further enrich this symbolic landscape, evoking a sense of watchful presence amidst decay. The fence motif, recurring across time, reminds us of humanity's enduring need to define and protect its spaces. This image engages us on a subconscious level, stirring primal feelings associated with territory, security, and the inevitable passage of time. Boulenger’s landscape is a reflection of our own internal boundaries.