Een karretje van den ouden bedelaar 1876 - 1897

Albert Quantin created this colorful print titled "A Cart of the Old Beggar" at an unknown date, teeming with curious imagery. Here we find a recurring motif: the cart, a symbol laden with centuries of cultural weight. Carts often signify journeys, both literal and metaphorical, and the burden of labor. Think of the medieval allegories of the "Wheel of Fortune," where figures rise and fall, bound to the cyclical nature of life and fate. In this image, the cart seems almost a parody of grand processions. Pulled by dogs, it's a vehicle of the humble, a far cry from royal carriages. Yet, like those grand vehicles, it carries its occupant through a landscape filled with potential and peril. Consider how the emotional weight of such imagery—the vulnerability and resilience—engages us on a subconscious level, reminding us of our own journeys, our own burdens, and the ever-turning wheel of human experience. The symbol of the cart resonates, continuing its journey through our collective consciousness.