Tekstblad over de Dichtkunst 1693

This is a page from Charles Perrault's work on poetry, likely from the late 17th century, presenting an overview of poetic forms. Dominant here are the classical references, hinting at poetry's foundational ties to ancient Greece and Rome. Think of the lyre, a symbol of lyrical verse since antiquity, or pastoral scenes evoking the idyllic landscapes of Virgil and Theocritus. These are not merely aesthetic choices, but invocations of a lineage. The pastoral flute is a motif that has echoed through the ages, from the pipes of Pan in ancient Greece to its reappearance in Renaissance paintings, symbolizing a longing for simplicity and a connection to nature. This yearning, this "Sehnsucht," taps into a deep, collective memory, a subconscious desire for a lost Arcadia. The evolution of such symbols reflects our changing relationship with nature and our evolving notions of innocence and escape.