Gezicht op een brug over een rivier 1586 - 1630

Isaak Major created this etching, "View of a Bridge over a River," which captures a scene brimming with symbols of passage and transition. Dominating the foreground is the bridge itself, a motif that has long represented connection, both physical and metaphorical, between disparate realms. Observe how the bridge is framed by nature, with a grand tree arching over it. Trees are an ancient symbol of life, growth, and the connection between the earthly and divine. The presence of these natural elements surrounding the man-made bridge suggests a harmony between civilization and nature. Consider this symbol across time. Bridges appear in various forms in art, from Roman aqueducts to modern cityscapes, reflecting humanity’s continuous desire to overcome obstacles and connect. Trees, too, from the Tree of Knowledge to the Bodhi tree, recur as central motifs in humanity’s narrative tapestry. The emotional weight of this image lies in its tranquil composition. It speaks to a universal desire for connection, both to our surroundings and to each other, a desire that echoes through the corridors of time.