Eend met kuikens bij waterkant 1878 - 1909

Theo van Hoytema created this image of a duck and her ducklings by the water’s edge. The duck, a symbol of motherhood and fertility, takes center stage. Its protective stance over its young speaks to the universal themes of nurture and care. We see echoes of this in ancient Egyptian art, where water birds were associated with the soul's journey and rebirth. Consider the swan in classical mythology, transformed to conceal and protect Leda. Or even the goose, sacred to Juno, whose honking alerted the Romans to the Gauls' attack. These avian protectors resonate with the primal instinct of safeguarding offspring, a theme that transcends cultures and epochs. It is a psychological mirror, reflecting our own deep-seated desires for safety and continuity. Here, the image of the duck and her ducklings continues to evolve. What was once divine, or symbolic of vigilance, becomes a tender, intimate moment by the water's edge. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols, constantly resurfacing, transformed, yet eternally resonant.