Panel c. 1886

This panel was crafted by Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo, and it presents an intriguing dance between stylized floral motifs and abstract form. The dominant visual symbol here is a highly stylized, symmetrical plant form, repeated across the panel. Within this, a flame-like energy can be sensed. This evokes the Tree of Life, which appears in ancient Assyrian carvings. The flame motif, reminiscent of early Celtic art, appears in illuminated manuscripts and metalwork. Over time, it lost its direct religious connotations and became a symbol of vitality and artistic expression. The emotional impact of this image lies in its vibrant rhythm and organic flow. Mackmurdo invites us to reflect on how symbols evolve, retain echoes of their past, and are reborn in new aesthetic contexts.