From Refsnæs 

Vilhelm Hammershøi painted this landscape, "From Refsnæs", with an emphasis on the symbolism of the horizon. The horizon line, often a meeting place of earth and sky, can represent the border between the known and unknown. Across cultures and throughout history, the horizon has been a potent symbol, appearing in ancient Egyptian art as a marker of the afterlife, or in Romantic painting as a symbol of longing. Here, the stark simplicity and near-monochromatic palette invite contemplation on the passage of time. This vast, seemingly empty landscape echoes the psychological landscapes we carry within ourselves. Consider the emotional weight of such vastness. It is not merely a depiction of space, but rather a reflection of the human condition—a sense of solitude, of being a small figure in the face of the immense world. The cyclical nature of such introspective reflections, the recurrence of existential questioning across generations, reinforces the enduring power of symbols to evoke deep, subconscious responses.