Brugje over een beek 1825 - 1882

This print, "Brugje over een beek," was created by Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet. At first glance, we see a tranquil scene: a small bridge crossing a stream, livestock resting, and windmills in the distance. However, the bridge here takes on symbolic weight. Throughout art history, bridges often represent transitions or connections between two worlds. Here, it may signify not only a physical passage over water but also a psychological or spiritual crossing. Consider, too, how water often symbolizes the subconscious in art. Crossing this bridge, therefore, becomes a journey into the depths of the self. The presence of goats can be traced back to classical art. Often associated with fertility, the goat can also represent untamed aspects of human nature. Here, its pairing with a lamb suggests a harmony between opposing forces. The image subtly engages our own memories and emotions, and its archetypal motifs resonate with the collective unconscious. We are reminded that these symbols, though depicted in a Dutch landscape, transcend time and place, constantly resurfacing in new forms.