Gezicht op een koepel in het park bij de Overtoom in Amsterdam 1866

This woodcut print by F.L. Meijer depicts a scene in the park near Overtoom in Amsterdam. Dominating the vista, observe the windmill, a symbol deeply interwoven with Dutch identity and history, representing prosperity and the mastery over nature. But here, the windmill is juxtaposed with emerging industrial chimneys in the background. Consider the cultural implications of this evolving iconography. Historically, the windmill symbolized a harmonious relationship with the environment. Its transformation is not linear; it echoes the Roman god Janus, embodying both past and future, reflecting a psychological tension between tradition and progress. The approaching figures in the foreground remind us that we, too, are wayfarers in a world of changing symbols. Like the ancient mariners navigating by the stars, we seek meaning in a world that is constantly evolving. This piece encapsulates the emotional weight of a culture on the brink, a visual echo chamber resonating with the anxieties of modernity.