Gezicht op Venetië, 1726 1726

This is an anonymous rendering of Venice, from 1726, etched with delicate lines on paper. Observe how the scene is dominated by the dance of water and sky, framing the city's iconic skyline. Ships and gondolas populate the foreground, teeming with figures that bring to mind the vital arteries of a thriving city. Water, in particular, is a symbol with deep roots. Throughout history, civilizations have seen water as a source of life and renewal. Consider the recurrent motif of the ship. From ancient Egyptian barques ferrying souls to the afterlife, to Viking longboats carrying warriors to new lands, the ship has always been a vessel for transformation, bridging worlds, and transporting cultural values. Similarly, the Venetians’ use of ships speaks to their connection to trade and the outside world. Venice, surrounded by water, has always been a place of movement and cultural exchange. The image thus speaks to our collective memory. Each element, from the lapping waves to the distant skyline, echoes across time, stirring something primal within us, and connecting us to the eternal flow of history.