Dorpsstraat met stenen brug c. 1640 - 1751

Jan van de Cappelle rendered this etching of a village street with a stone bridge. The bridge itself, a simple archway over water, serves as more than just a physical connection. Historically, bridges symbolize transitions, both literal and metaphorical, between different realms or states of being. We see this repeated throughout visual culture, like in medieval art where bridges mark the passage from earthly life to the afterlife. The bridge motif also appears in allegorical contexts as a connection between the mundane and the spiritual. Here, however, the scene is quotidian. Perhaps the bridge represents our subconscious desire to find harmony and continuity in our lives. It becomes a visual anchor, reminding us of the simple, enduring connections that bind us together. This humble etching evokes a powerful emotional response and touches upon the collective memory of humanity.