Plate 1935 - 1942

This plate was designed by William L. Antrim, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The central motif is the bird perched amongst stylized foliage. Since antiquity, birds have served as potent symbols, often representing the soul's journey or divine messengers. The dove, specifically, carries layers of meaning across cultures, from symbolizing peace and purity in Christian iconography to representing love and devotion in ancient mythology. Notice how the plant behind the bird is reaching upwards, almost like a tree of life. The motifs are not just decorative but seem to be reaching for something beyond their earthly, material reality. Consider how these symbols resonate through time. In ancient Greece, doves were associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, while in the biblical story of Noah, the dove signals the end of the flood, marking a new beginning for humanity. Here, these forms take on a life of their own, speaking to a shared, perhaps subconscious, understanding of life, death, and rebirth. The cyclical progression and resurfacing of this symbol remind us of art's ability to echo and evolve through history.