Drie personen aan tafel 1847 - 1865

Herman Frederik Carel ten Kate created this lithograph of three people at a table. The most striking symbol here is the table itself, an emblem of gathering and discourse, around which individuals converge to negotiate meaning and forge social bonds. The motif of gathering around a table harkens back to images of the Last Supper, imbued with themes of communion, sacrifice, and transformation. We see it echoed, albeit in secular form, across centuries. Consider Dutch Golden Age paintings of convivial gatherings, where the table becomes a stage for social performance and the display of worldly goods. The very act of sitting together fosters a sense of belonging, reminiscent of ancient Greek symposia. The table remains a symbol of human connection and shared experience, a testament to our deep-seated need for community and dialogue. It's a motif that resonates across cultures, reminding us of our collective history and shared humanity.