Het hertogdom Limburg. 200,000 inwoners 1844

This print by Jan Schuitemaker depicts scenes from the Duchy of Limburg. Notice the visual framing of each scene in the manner of a stone tablet, suggesting a sense of timelessness. Consider the scene of St. Pietersberg cavern. Caves, from Plato’s allegory to the myths of diverse cultures, often symbolize the hidden depths of the human psyche. This underground space reminds us of similar depictions in antiquity, such as the cave in which Mithras, the god of light, is often depicted slaying a bull. The cavern evokes a sense of mystery, of something concealed beneath the surface. Like the archetypes described by Jung, the cave touches our collective unconscious. These images resonate because they tap into primal fears and curiosities. These symbols, like cultural memories, resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, constantly shaping our understanding of the world.