Vier mannen kijken door een deuropening een gebouw binnen 1855 - 1913

Here, Xavier Mellery etched a group of men peering into a building through a doorway. This threshold, the literal entrance, is also a potent symbol of transition, of moving from one state to another, seen across cultures. Consider the ancient Roman god Janus, the deity of doorways and beginnings, often depicted with two faces, looking both to the past and the future. Here, Mellery presents us with a group of men in hushed tones, almost hesitant to cross this threshold. It evokes a sense of anticipation mixed with uncertainty. This visual motif echoes in countless works throughout history, from religious scenes of annunciation to modern depictions of pivotal life moments. The doorway becomes a stage where the drama of change unfolds. Mellery’s etching captures this psychological intensity, tapping into our collective awareness of life’s inevitable passages, reminding us that every entrance implies an exit.