Annotaties 1893

This annotated page from a calendar by George Hendrik Breitner presents us with a rich tableau of symbols, rendered simply in ink. Dominating the scene are the handwritten notes, a seemingly straightforward record. But even the act of writing itself carries profound weight. Think of ancient scribes meticulously preserving sacred texts. The use of a calendar introduces the concept of time, its cyclical nature mirroring the eternal recurrence of motifs throughout art history. This is reminiscent of the serpent Ouroboros, found in ancient Egypt and Greece, consuming its tail in an infinite loop. The snake symbolizes the cyclical nature of time and existence. Here, the handwritten annotations and the rigid structure of the calendar converge to create a potent reminder of mortality, of moments passing. Just as the Ouroboros continuously devours itself, time relentlessly marches forward. These symbols evolve and reappear, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.