Drie mannen zwemmend in een water bij Pontoise 1897

This photograph, by Delizy, captures three men in the waters of Pontoise. The most striking element is the water itself, a universal symbol of life, purification, and the subconscious. From ancient baptismal rites to classical depictions of nymphs and river gods, water signifies both the source of existence and a space for psychological immersion. Here, the men are literally enveloped by it, submerged in a shared, almost primal experience. One man floats, his feet pointing skyward—a gesture reminiscent of figures ascending or surrendering. Consider how similar poses appear in religious art, symbolizing spiritual awakening. The water's surface blurs the line between reality and reflection, hinting at the depths of the unconscious mind. The collective act of bathing suggests a communal return to origins, a shedding of societal constraints. Just as water constantly flows and adapts, these symbols evolve through human history, their meanings shaped by collective memory.