Vuurtoren van Stiff before 1883

This photograph, titled "Vuurtoren van Stiff," captures a lighthouse along a shore. Here, the lighthouse is more than just a navigational aid; it stands as a powerful symbol of guidance, hope, and endurance against the unpredictable forces of nature. The tower's verticality speaks to mankind’s ambition to reach beyond the earthly realm. Think of the Tower of Babel, also reaching to the heavens, or even the classical obelisks of ancient Egypt, symbols of power and connection to the divine. These structures, like the lighthouse, represent the desire to transcend human limitations. Over time, the lighthouse has reappeared in many forms, sometimes religious, sometimes secular, but its underlying emotional resonance remains potent—it’s a beacon in the darkness. Consider the lighthouse as a persistent motif, a kind of visual formula passed down through history, evolving yet retaining its fundamental essence. This photograph touches on the collective memory that engages with the subconscious, and perhaps even the very human need for light in the face of darkness.