Ontdekken van ondergronds water 1727

Bernard Picart's print, "Discovering Underground Water," presents a figure prone on the earth, seeking water, guided by the vapours rising in the sun’s heat. Consider the symbolic resonance of water, the source of life, often hidden, requiring diligence to uncover. This quest echoes through the ages, reminiscent of ancient water diviners and alchemists seeking nature's secrets. The posture of the figure, lying close to the earth, recalls the symbolic gesture of seeking knowledge from the soil, a connection with nature that is primordial. The presence of rising vapours is also intriguing. Vapours have long been associated with the soul, the invisible made visible. The vaporous state, between liquid and air, mirrors the ambiguity of seeking hidden truths. These elements invite us to consider our connection to the earth and the secrets it holds, a timeless quest embedded deep within the collective psyche.