Twee pootjebadende meisjes met grote strohoeden 1874 - 1927

Johan Antonie de Jonge created this artwork titled 'Two paddling girls with large straw hats' with a height of 352 mm and a width of 251 mm. Observe these figures, their large straw hats, emblems of summer leisure, reminiscent of a carefree age. These hats, more than mere protection from the sun, become symbols of a bygone era. Their circular forms echo halos, bestowing a sense of innocence upon these figures, almost lifting them into the realm of the sacred. Consider how the circle of the hat connects to images of sun gods and fertility rituals from ancient cultures, reappearing as halos in Christian art. It's a motif that transcends time, reflecting our collective fascination with light, protection, and the divine. The hat’s function is always shifting, but is always connected to a powerful subconscious connection to our earliest experiences of safety and wonder. The cyclical progression of the motif demonstrates how cultural memory is embedded in our visual language, continually resurfacing, evolving, and imbuing familiar forms with layers of meaning.