Gezicht op Nablus 1852

François Stroobant captured this graphite and watercolor view of Nablus with a gaze that invites us to consider the enduring symbols of passage and place. Dominating the scene is the city nestled beneath the hills, a motif echoing the ancient walled cities, symbols of refuge and community. Our eye is drawn to the caravan, a timeless image of transit and trade. The camel, a beast of burden, links this scene to the Silk Road, bearing not just goods, but the flow of culture. Caravans such as these appear in myriad forms across history, from biblical scenes of the Magi, to modern-day refugee processions, each carrying stories of hope, displacement, and the relentless human spirit. The bridge, a vital link to progress, emerges as a constant reinvention of connection across time. It whispers of man's aspiration to overcome earthly obstacles. Consider how such images tap into our collective memory, a shared longing for connection. The city of Nablus continues its cycle of destruction and reconstruction, its story etched into the subconscious of generations.