Gezicht op de Gunung Kiemtabu, Noord-Molukken c. 1821 - 1824

Adrianus Johannes Bik sketched this view of Gunung Kiemtabu in the North Moluccas with pen in bistre around 1830. The mountain, a volcano, dominates the landscape, its peak reaching towards the heavens, a powerful symbol across cultures. Mountains have long held spiritual significance. In ancient Greece, Mount Olympus was the home of the gods. The Judeo-Christian tradition sees mountains as places of divine revelation, like Mount Sinai. In the East, mountains are revered in Taoism and Shintoism as dwelling places of spirits. Here, Bik captures not just a geological formation, but a nexus of cultural memory. Consider how the mountain resonates with our collective subconscious. Its imposing presence evokes feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. The image taps into our primal understanding of nature's power, a force that has shaped human consciousness since time immemorial. The symbolism is not linear; it circles back, constantly evolving yet forever rooted in our shared past.