Ornament met een vaas in het midden geflankeerd door sfinxen

This ornament with a vase in the middle, flanked by sphinxes, was created by Bernard Picart in the 18th century. Picart lived during a time of shifting social and political landscapes in Europe, including evolving attitudes towards gender and identity. Here, the mythological beings aren't simply decorative. Positioned as guardians, the sphinxes might symbolize a period of transition, guarding an ancient past while gazing into an uncertain future. With a woman's head and a lion's body, these hybrid creatures embody a kind of androgyny. They challenge viewers to consider the fluidity of identity, and the intertwining of human and animal natures. Picart invites us to question traditional representations and to embrace the beauty and power of hybridity. As you consider this ornament, what aspects of your own identity feel fluid or complex?