Drie consoles met fantasiedecoraties 1622

This small black and white print, titled ‘Drie consoles met fantasiedecoraties’, presents three elaborate architectural consoles. These designs, rendered with meticulous detail, explore the boundaries between functionality and extravagant ornamentation. The artist plays with verticality through stacked elements, from the robust bases to the ornate capitals, guiding the eye upwards. Notice how the contrast between dense, textured areas and delicate linework creates depth and visual interest. These consoles serve not just as structural supports but as vehicles for symbolic expression. Drawing on classical motifs, the artist infuses the design with elements that evoke both power and sophistication, perhaps reflecting the social values or aspirations of the time. The arrangement of these motifs—their scale, repetition, and variation—suggests a deep understanding of architectural semiotics. Consider how this piece invites us to question the purpose of decoration: is it merely aesthetic, or does it communicate something deeper about culture and identity?