Steiger van de veerdienst tussen Antwerpen en Temse 1884

Henri Seghers rendered this scene of the Antwerp-Temse ferry pier with etching, a dance of light and shadow upon the water. Dominating the composition are the sailing boats, their masts piercing the sky like silent sentinels. These vessels, symbols of journey and commerce, evoke a deep-seated human desire for exploration and connection. Notice how the masts, stark against the horizon, echo the ancient obelisks of Egypt, which reached for the sun and immortality. The image of boats laden with goods and people has traversed time. Think of the Ship of Fools in medieval allegories, or even Noah’s Ark, each carrying its own cargo of hope and despair. These boats are more than mere transport; they are vessels of the human soul. In each manifestation, the boat carries the weight of collective memory, reflecting our perpetual quest for safe passage through life's turbulent waters. The pier scene engages our subconscious, tapping into the primal emotions tied to travel.