Landschap met een brouwerij 1615 - 1645

Esaias van de Velde created this landscape with a brewery using etching techniques. The most striking symbol is the dovecote standing tall next to the brewery. Historically, dovecotes were not just for housing birds. These structures became symbols of status, and were closely linked to notions of fertility and abundance. This symbolism is deeply rooted in the cultural psyche. Throughout history, we see birds consistently used as symbols of the soul. Consider the ancient Egyptian Ba bird, representing the soul's ability to move between the worlds of the living and the dead, or the dove that symbolizes peace, a symbol that has shifted from religious contexts to secular movements. This brewery is not merely a scene of labor but a landscape imbued with symbols of prosperity. These symbols speak to our collective memory, engaging viewers on a profound level. As symbols evolve through time, they resurface in new contexts, enriching their meanings.