The Retrospective of Time by Ruud van den Berg

About "The Retrospective of Time"

by Ruud van den Berg

About the artwork

In this digital artwork, the back of a classic car unfolds, captured in a style that balances between photography and painting. The vehicle stands detached from any context: a red void surrounds it, as if floating in an infinite space. This gives the car an almost mythical presence - no longer just a means of transport, but a symbol of memory, movement and standstill at the same time.

The eye catches the large rear wheel, prominent as a wheel of time. The rim, red and angular, exudes speed and power, but its stationary position suggests a pause in the eternal journey. The black-and-white chess border, following the contours of the car, acts as a boundary between past and present; as if each cube is a memory, captured in rhythm and repetition.

A small illustration adorns the tailgate: a red devil-like figure that looks playful and rebellious. He embodies the human urge for adventure, danger and temptation. Underneath, a light circle shimmers, almost like an aura, symbolising the spirit of freedom.

The red background evokes passion, but also isolation. The car seems detached from its world, abstracted into an icon. The badge, concrete and tangible, is the only anchor to reality.

"The Retrospective of Time" is thus an ode to nostalgia, a poetic reminder that travelling does not only mean moving forward, but also looking back: at the traces we leave behind, and the stories recorded in metal and paint.

Address: Zeist, Netherlands

Digital artwork after photograph by P.W. van den Berg

Completed on: 9 October 2025