Uitzichtpunt langs een kust c. 1841 - 1865

Petrus Johannes Schotel rendered this coastal view with ink and watercolor, capturing more than just a landscape; he depicts a boundary between worlds. The stone staircase, a prominent motif, is reminiscent of those ancient ziggurats, like portals promising transcendence. This echoes the biblical Tower of Babel and Jacob’s Ladder. Stairs are a common symbol in mythology and religion, representing the desire to ascend to a higher spiritual plane. However, here, the stairs meet the sea, suggesting an end to progression, a merging with the unknown. The arches here symbolize a transition, portals framing the possibilities and mysteries that lie beyond, like those found in classical Roman architecture. Schotel’s integration of this ancient symbol suggests our collective subconscious is drawn towards images that resonate with our shared longing for something beyond.