Hoe lang nog? 1914 - 1915

This small metal plate, by Johannes Hendricus de Groot, features a cannon and the years 1914-1915, marking the early years of the First World War. The stark image of the cannon is coupled with the poignant question in Dutch: "Hoe lang nog?" or "How much longer?". The cannon, an ancient symbol of power and destruction, here reflects the industrialized warfare that defined the era. One is reminded of similar depictions of military might stretching back to Roman war machines. This visual shorthand evokes a deep, primal fear, tapping into our collective memory of conflict and devastation. The question posed resonates with the universal cry for peace and the cessation of suffering, a sentiment echoed across time in various artistic forms, from Goya's "Disasters of War" to Picasso's "Guernica." The cyclical nature of violence and the longing for peace are recurring themes, revealing how deeply embedded these motifs are in the human psyche. They continue to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.