Schoorsteenveger 1657 - 1679

Hendrik Bary etched this chimney sweep in the late 17th century, capturing a figure of both fear and fascination. The sweep, with his soot-stained face and ragged clothes, carries the tools of his trade, but it is his transformative role that intrigues me. Consider the sweep's association with the hearth, the center of home and family. This connection echoes ancient beliefs in the protective spirits of the home. Yet, covered in soot, he also embodies the shadow, the hidden aspects of life. This duality is not new. Think of the medieval Wild Man, covered in hair, a figure both terrifying and symbolic of untamed nature, yet also a symbol of freedom. The sweep, like the Wild Man, dwells on the margins, embodying a primal connection to the earth. This image taps into our collective memory, triggering a primal response. Is it fear? Is it recognition? Perhaps it is the human longing for transformation, a desire to cleanse and purify, echoing through time.