Twee roeiboten c. 1828 - 1897

Adrianus Eversen sketched these two rowboats, likely in the 19th century, using graphite on paper. The boats, symbols of passage and transition, evoke a deep sense of human experience. Throughout history, the motif of the boat appears in various contexts. Think of the Egyptian funerary boats carrying souls to the afterlife, or the ship as a metaphor for the Church, navigating the seas of life. Even Charon's ferry, guiding souls across the river Styx, resonates here. In contrast, consider how the vessel has been transformed in modern times: from a symbol of hope to a vehicle for mass migration, as seen in the harrowing images of boats carrying refugees. This evolution speaks to our collective memory, where symbols shift and adapt. The quiet stillness of Eversen’s boats carries a melancholic beauty, perhaps echoing our own subconscious desire for solace and escape. In the end, we're left with the cyclical journey of symbols—reappearing, evolving, and reflecting our ever-changing world.