Drie soldaten bij een toren 1831 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens etched this artwork called 'Three Soldiers by a Tower' without providing a specific date. Notice the tower: a potent symbol dominating the composition, evoking feelings of strength but also isolation, and a silent witness of the vicissitudes of time. Historically, towers are associated with defense, power, and refuge. However, they can also symbolize imprisonment or unattainable aspiration. The three soldiers introduce a human element to the scene. The image of the tower is embedded in our collective consciousness. It echoes through history, from the Tower of Babel in ancient texts to the medieval fortresses dotting Europe. Each iteration carries its own cultural and historical weight, yet the essence of the tower remains: a symbol of human ambition and its inherent limitations. Here, the tower stands as a testament to both human achievement and our fleeting existence. It speaks of the cyclical nature of history, where old forms reappear, transformed but still recognizable, engaging our subconscious with their enduring presence.