Eenden aan de slootkant 1844 - 1910

Willem Maris painted "Ducks by the Ditch" with watercolor to capture a fleeting moment in nature. Note the mother duck leading her ducklings, an ancient symbol of motherhood and protection. Throughout art history, the image of a mother with her young has carried profound emotional weight. Think of the Madonna and Child, a motif that echoes through countless cultures. Even here, in this Dutch landscape, we find a similar theme: the protective mother, the vulnerable young. Consider how the depiction of the mother-child relationship taps into our collective memory, stirring deep feelings of nurture and care. This image is not merely a scene of ducks, but a mirror reflecting our own primal understanding of family and security. A powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The motif resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.