Helling Merapi 1919

Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster created this striking woodcut, "Helling Merapi," which presents a scene dominated by the majestic volcano and a cascading waterfall. Water, the life-giving force, is visually prominent and deeply symbolic here. Notice how the waterfall motif, from ancient Greece to Renaissance fountains, has consistently represented purification, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life. Consider its presence not just as a visual element, but as a symbol passed down through history. Here, the depiction of the waterfall embodies a connection to the primordial source of life. It evokes a sense of awe, drawing from a collective memory embedded within us. This symbol transcends its immediate representation, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with the eternal themes of existence, underscoring how such primal imagery is continually resurrected and reimagined.