Strandbred med mange mennesker 1650

This drawing, made by Jan van Goyen, shows a beach scene teeming with people. Van Goyen masterfully depicts the figures engaging in various activities, all under the vast expanse of the sky. Notice how the figures are clustered together, yet each seems absorbed in their own world. This evokes the concept of 'collective effervescence', a term I borrow from sociology, where shared activity creates a sense of unity and emotional connection. It is reminiscent of ancient festivals, where the sea was a symbol of both abundance and danger. The beach itself, a liminal space between land and sea, echoes the ancient motif of transition and change. This same symbolic beach appears in Botticelli’s "Birth of Venus". The sea as the birthplace of Venus resonates deeply within our collective consciousness, a reminder of the ever-present cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The human connection to water is powerful, engaging us on a subconscious level. Just as the sea's tides ebb and flow, symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, reflecting our ever-changing human experience.