The Flood Gate 1847 - 1890

Emile van Marcke's "The Flood Gate," captures a pastoral scene with symbols that resonate through ages. Dominating the scene, the cow, a quintessential symbol of nourishment and maternal abundance, has been revered across cultures as sacred or vital. The flood gate, a structure designed to control the flow of water, evokes themes of regulation, control, and the management of natural forces. These elements converge with the foreboding sky, reminding us of the sublime, a concept tied to both terror and awe. The motif of cattle has been associated with ancient fertility rites to Egyptian goddesses like Hathor. Van Marcke’s depiction taps into this deep well of cultural memory, resonating with subconscious longings for sustenance and prosperity. Like the cyclical nature of floods, this imagery suggests a non-linear progression, resurfacing through history.