Twee scènes uit Gellert's Fabelen 1776

This print, by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, presents two scenes from Gellert’s Fables, rendered with the delicate lines of etching. Notice the contrast in themes: one depicts a deathbed scene, while the other shows two young women in elaborate dresses at what seems to be a statue in a garden. The image on the right is of particular interest. The two young ladies are standing under a statue, perhaps of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. The gesture of one tying a ribbon or garland around the statue speaks to a ritualistic seeking of favor or blessing for beauty and love. We can trace similar gestures across time, from ancient votive offerings to modern-day rituals of seeking beauty or love. Consider the emotional undercurrent: are they rivals, each hoping for the goddess’s favor? The scene taps into our collective desires and anxieties around love and beauty, using a classical motif to convey timeless human emotions. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts, reminding us of the non-linear progression of symbols.