Rotskust met rechts een huis, op zee enkele boten 1797 - 1870

Andreas Schelfhout rendered this rocky coastline with pen and brush in grey ink. The image’s stark cliffs, rendered with delicate strokes, evoke a sense of sublime awe, but also a human connection to the land. The cliffs in this artwork can be seen as a reflection of the artist's exploration of the archetype of the mountain. Present in works from across the world, from the paintings of Caspar David Friedrich to the ink landscapes of classical China. The mountain has served as a symbol for stability and the eternal quest for higher knowledge or enlightenment, and the emotional impact of viewing such images is profound, touching on our primal sense of reverence for the natural world. Consider how these enduring symbols have taken on new valences through time. They reappear, evolve, and are continuously reshaped by culture and context, demonstrating the cyclical, non-linear progression of symbols.