het schip der woestijn 1875 - 1903

Here, in Jan de Haan's print, we observe the 'ship of the desert,' the camel, laden with figures amidst an arid landscape. The camel, a symbol of endurance and survival, bears not only physical burdens but also the weight of cultural memory, linking nomadic traditions with settled life. Note the woman riding atop one of the camels. The Madonna-like figure carrying a child. Her image echoes through centuries of religious art, symbolizing maternal care and hope. This motif reappears across cultures, from ancient fertility goddesses to Renaissance paintings, each time adapting to new cultural contexts. The woman atop the camel engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level with our shared understanding of nurturing and protection. Such symbols demonstrate the non-linear, cyclical progression of images. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, bridging the past with the present.