Eenden, slapend tussen struiken aan de kant van het water 1864 - 1936

Jan van Essen rendered this drawing of ducks sleeping amongst foliage, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. Observe how these waterfowl, nestled in their sanctuary, evoke a sense of peacefulness, and of nature's cycles. Throughout history, birds have symbolized the soul, and the ability to transcend earthly bounds. We find echoes of this symbolism from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depicting the Ba, a soul represented as a bird, to Renaissance paintings where birds often accompany saints, signifying spiritual liberation. Here, though, the ducks sleep, implying a return to an elemental state, a kind of dreamlike incubation. Consider, too, how such imagery might tap into our subconscious desires for rest and protection. The clustered thicket suggests not only shelter, but also, perhaps, a hidden world, echoing our innermost thoughts and dreams. We find ourselves drawn to the image, in a way, because it reflects our own needs for safety.