Emigranten onderweg 1768 - 1813

This etching by Samuel Gränicher depicts emigrants on their journey. The travelers and their possessions are densely packed on a cart being pulled along, illustrating the burden and the collective effort of migration. Note how the forward-moving cart, propelled by both people and beasts, symbolizes the relentless drive toward a new future, even in the face of hardship. This motif of burdened travel echoes through art history, from biblical scenes of the Flight into Egypt to modern depictions of refugees. Consider the image of Aeneas carrying his father from Troy—an early representation of the burden of history and familial duty. The cart becomes a vessel of hope and memory, carrying not just belongings but also cultural identity. The emotional weight of this image lies in its portrayal of human resilience, an enduring testament to the cyclical nature of migration, driven by hope and necessity, and deeply embedded in our collective consciousness.