Hangbrug in de tuin van kasteel Rozendaal bij Velp c. 1860 - 1890

This photograph, taken by J.S.J. de Jongh, captures a hanging bridge in the gardens of Rozendaal Castle. Bridges, throughout art history, serve as potent symbols of transition, connection, and the overcoming of obstacles. We see this motif echoing back to ancient Roman bridges—monuments of imperial power that enabled the movement of armies and goods. Yet, bridges also appear in more intimate contexts, such as in medieval art, where a bridge might symbolize the passage from earthly life to the afterlife. The precariousness of the hanging bridge in this photograph adds another layer. It speaks to a more tenuous connection, a fragile link between two points. Consider how such crossings evoke feelings of anticipation, the uncertainty of the journey, and the hope of reaching the other side. The bridge, therefore, becomes more than a physical structure; it is a mirror reflecting our deepest anxieties and aspirations about life’s journey.