Schoorsteenveger 1890

This woodcut by Henri-Charles Guérard depicts a chimney sweep, his tools slung over his shoulder, a profession associated with both the hearth and the shadows. Consider the chimney sweep: in folklore, he's a bringer of luck, a liminal figure moving between worlds, bearing traces of soot and ash, reminiscent of ancient underworld guides. Notice the hat atop his head. Head coverings recur in various guises across cultures, from sacred veils to protective helmets, symbolizing roles, status, and identity, marking transitions between states. The tools of his trade, like Hermes' caduceus, are not merely functional but symbolic, emblems of transformation, purification, and the negotiation between opposing forces. They echo through time in diverse contexts, each iteration subtly shifting in resonance, yet retaining a primal connection to the collective memory. The chimney sweep is a figure that transcends time and place, evolving to express our fears and desires.