Italiaanse vrouw vult een kan bij een bron 1836 - 1912

This etching by Eugène Smits depicts an Italian woman paused by a well, a simple jug resting on its stone plinth. The woman at the well is an archetypal image, appearing across centuries and cultures. In Christian iconography, it evokes the story of Rebecca, whose generosity in offering water to a stranger marks her as chosen. This scene resonates with the ancient Greek myths of nymphs and sacred springs, places of divination and healing. Observe how the act of drawing water, often associated with purity and life, is here imbued with a quiet contemplation. The woman's gesture—hands clasped—suggests a moment of reflection, perhaps prayer or a silent communion with the life-giving force of the spring. This echoes the subconscious human desire to connect with the divine through everyday acts. This simple image, with its layers of cultural memory, draws us into a timeless cycle, reminding us that even in the modern world, we seek meaning in the ancient symbols.