Uitje naar de kust c. 1935 - 1936

This set of photographs, arranged in a private album, captures a variety of coastal scenes. The sea, a recurring motif, invites us to consider its complex symbolism. Since antiquity, the sea has been seen as a boundary, as exemplified by the ancient Greeks, whose perception of the sea was a realm of mysteries and tempests, separating the known from the unknown. Similarly, in these photographs, the sea is a boundary between land and horizon, between safety and the great unknown, teeming with danger and opportunity. Consider the lone ship amidst the open water. The ship as a symbol can be traced back to ancient times, representing journey, adventure, and even the human soul navigating the seas of life. From ancient funerary boats carrying souls to the afterlife, to the argonauts seeking the Golden Fleece, the ship is a vessel traversing both physical and metaphorical waters. The emotional depth of the image lies in the sense of human curiosity and bravery in facing the vastness of nature. The sea calls, promising both peril and discovery.