Le Port de Marseille 1873

Johan Barthold Jongkind captured this watercolor of the port of Marseille in 1873. Notice the masts of the ships dominating the skyline, symbols of trade and exploration, reaching for the heavens like the spires of cathedrals. Consider the ship, a vessel traversing the waters, as it appears across cultures. In ancient Egypt, the ship carried the souls of the dead across the Nile, while in Norse mythology, it bore Viking warriors to Valhalla. This vessel motif is found in countless forms. Think of the "ship of fools," a medieval allegory depicting a ship of madmen without direction. In the subconscious, the ship may represent the self, navigating the turbulent seas of life. This image resonates with our collective memory, stirring deep-seated emotions related to journey, uncertainty, and the search for safe harbor. Like the endless return of symbols in our cultural consciousness, the ships sailing in and out of port will continue to evolve and gain new meaning.