Nieuwjaar tussen arabieren 1865 - 1930

Jac van Looij sketched 'Nieuwjaar tussen arabieren' with graphite on paper, depicting a gathering of figures cloaked in traditional Arab robes. The most striking motif here is the enveloping robe, obscuring individual identities, yet uniting the group in a shared cultural symbol. Consider how similar garments appear across vastly different cultures and eras. The hooded cloak echoes in monastic orders or the Ku Klux Klan, where anonymity serves different communal or ideological purposes. The act of concealing the face can inspire fear, create unity, or signify spiritual devotion. This concealment is not merely physical; it speaks to deeper psychological forces, reflecting our primal fears of the unknown and our innate need for belonging. The power of such symbols lies in their ability to tap into collective memories, evolving and resurfacing across history to convey new layers of meaning.