In einem Zimmer spielt ein Mann die Flöte, dabei sitzt eine Frau, die mit einem Mann spricht, der ein Körbchen trägt, hinter beiden eine alte Frau 

This watercolor work by Hermanus Numan depicts a man playing the flute in a domestic setting, with a woman, an older woman, and a man with a basket in attendance. The flute, a prominent symbol, carries echoes from ancient Greece, where it was associated with ecstatic cults, particularly that of Dionysus. Its music was believed to liberate the soul, often linked with altered states and emotional release. Here, within the confines of this domestic scene, its presence might hint at underlying tensions or desires, a subtle disruption of the expected order. Consider how musical instruments have appeared throughout art history, from the lyres of Apollo to the trumpets of angels. Each use subtly changes its meaning, adding layers to our collective understanding. This is a testament to the enduring power of symbols to adapt and resonate across time.