Studieblad met zeilschepen c. 1825 - 1875

Here in the Rijksmuseum, Petrus Johannes Schotel captured a fleet of sailing ships with graphite on paper. These ships aren't merely vessels; they are potent symbols of trade, exploration, and perhaps, the uncertainties of life itself. Consider the ship as a symbol, from the argonauts in search of the golden fleece to Viking longboats, humanity has projected dreams and fears onto these seaworthy vehicles. The ship motif surfaces in diverse times and places. Think of ancient Egyptian funerary boats, intended to carry souls to the afterlife, or the ships of the early explorers, symbols of ambition, carrying dreams of new worlds and untold riches. In both cases, the ship is more than just a mode of transport. It represents transformation and the crossing of boundaries. The presence of ships resonates on a subconscious level, echoing our collective memories of voyages, discoveries, and the inherent human desire to venture into the unknown. It evokes a deep psychological response, tapping into our primal instincts for exploration and the confrontation of the unpredictable. Schotel’s sketch reminds us that symbols are never static; they are constantly being reinterpreted, imbued with new cultural significance, yet forever tethered to the past.