Gezicht op de linkeroever van de Maas met café De Rode Haan 1830 - 1899

Alexander Schaepkens created this etching, "View of the left bank of the Meuse with café De Rode Haan," capturing a serene waterside scene. The establishment's name, "The Red Rooster," immediately grabs our attention. The rooster, a potent symbol, has crowed through history. In ancient cultures, it was associated with the sun, heralding the dawn and symbolizing vigilance, courage, and resurrection. Think of the rooster atop weather vanes, warding off evil, or as an emblem of France, embodying pride and Gallic spirit. The café's choice of this emblem isn't accidental. It suggests a place of awakening, sociability, and perhaps even a touch of defiance. The rooster, rooted in myth and folklore, connects this humble scene on the Meuse to a much broader, deeper cultural narrative. It’s a reminder that even in the quietest corners, echoes of ancient beliefs and shared human experiences persist.