Gezicht op de kleine haven van Palermo 1778

Louis Ducros captured this view of Palermo’s small harbor with watercolor and pen around the late 18th century. The ships, silent witnesses to history, evoke a powerful sense of transition and commerce. Consider the flag; more than just a marker of origin, it is a symbol deeply rooted in human consciousness. Since ancient times, flags have represented identity, power, and allegiance. Think of Roman legions marching under their eagles or medieval banners leading knights into battle. The flag's role evolved from a simple identifier to a complex emblem charged with emotional and political weight. This simple cloth carries the dreams, ambitions, and fears of a community. These ships and flags remind us that symbols possess a life of their own, constantly shifting and adapting. Just as the sea carries vessels across vast distances, so too do symbols travel through time, their meanings shaped by the currents of history and the collective psyche of humanity.