Dáár, waar de rijstplant groeit en tiert [(...)] 1861 - 1929

This print, made by Albertus Willem Sijthoff, presents scenes of rice cultivation, rich with symbols deeply rooted in cultural memory. The central motif, the cultivation of rice, speaks to fertility, nourishment, and the cyclical nature of life. The workers depicted, tending the fields, evoke images of ancient agricultural rites, mirroring similar scenes found in Egyptian tomb paintings and Minoan frescoes. Here, the act of planting and harvesting transcends mere labor. It becomes a sacred act, imbued with hopes for prosperity and continuity. Consider the recurring image of the field, a bounded space that mirrors the symbolic garden of ancient myths. It’s an enclosed yet fertile space, symbolizing the human desire to cultivate and control nature. This same symbol echoes in medieval tapestries, Renaissance paintings, and even modern-day landscape designs, a testament to its enduring power. The collective memory of agrarian societies is woven into this image, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The cyclical progression of planting, growth, and harvest resurfaces throughout history, constantly evolving and taking on new meanings.