Twee boten aangemeerd in de Oude Schans in Amsterdam c. 1913 - 1919

Willem Witsen created this etching of two boats docked in Amsterdam's Oude Schans. The boats, draped in snow, appear to be in a state of rest, and the stillness evokes profound feelings of calm. Consider the boat—an ancient symbol of a voyage. In ancient Egyptian culture, boats ferried souls to the afterlife, just as the boat of Ra crossed the sky each day. The motif appears again in ancient Greece, with Charon guiding souls across the river Styx. These concepts are deeply embedded in the human psyche, representing both the hope of new beginnings and the melancholic recognition of inevitable ends. Here, Witsen captures the essence of Amsterdam as a port city, but the image is imbued with more than just a picturesque view; it evokes a sense of collective memory and deep cultural roots, resonating with viewers through its timeless symbolism. The boat, an icon of transport and change, reappears through time, carrying its cultural significance.