Het verwijderen van de palen Possibly 1677 - 1696

Cornelis Meijer’s etching depicts a method for removing posts from a riverbed. At its heart, the image is dominated by the central structure, surrounded by vertical posts, and the human figures, all of which carry rich symbolic weight. The vertical posts are reminiscent of ancient protective barriers, evoking a sense of enclosure and control over nature's chaos. In contrast, the human figures along the riverbank embody a spirit of active intervention and ingenuity, reminiscent of mythological heroes who manipulated natural forces to benefit humanity. Consider the ancient Greek hero, Heracles, who diverted rivers to clean the Augean stables. Similarly, the figures in Meijer's image are actively reshaping their environment, suggesting a recurring motif of human dominance over nature. The act of removing the posts from the river mirrors historical acts of dismantling old orders to create new ones. These laborers become unwitting actors in a timeless drama, their gestures echoing through the corridors of history. The image captures the cyclical nature of human endeavor. A potent symbol of human ingenuity, of cultural memory, and of the constant interplay between man and nature.