Kreeften 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this drawing, Kreeften, with a graphic medium on paper. At first glance, one sees numerous crayfish sketched hastily. But it is the symbolic weight of the crayfish itself that demands our attention. The crustacean, found in the depths, has long been linked to the subconscious. Think of the zodiac sign Cancer, tied to the moon, the tides, and the realm of dreams. These associations tap into our primordial fears, our subconscious recognition of the hidden and unknowable. Even in ancient Roman mosaics, marine creatures were emblems of wealth and mystery. Here, Dijsselhof conjures the same deep-seated associations. They resonate even today, speaking to our understanding that what lies beneath the surface is often more profound than what is visible. The creatures elicit both curiosity and a touch of unease, linking us to our ancestors, who looked to the sea with similar wonder and apprehension.