Watch with the Holy Family and St John the Baptist c. 1700 - 1720

This enameled watch face, likely crafted by Johannes Kornman, presents us with a pastoral scene imbued with classical undertones. At its heart lies an Arcadian vision of a landscape and architectural ruins. The presence of classical architecture on the face of a time-telling device brings to mind the cyclical nature of time, the rise and fall of civilizations, and the enduring human quest for order amidst chaos. This motif is reminiscent of the Renaissance fascination with antiquity. Remember the ancient ruins depicted in the background of Ghirlandaio’s "Old Man with a Young Boy," or Raphael’s "School of Athens." The ruins, often symbols of mortality and the transience of worldly power, when combined with the mechanical precision of a watch, become a poignant meditation on the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of human existence. The motifs within this small object reflect how cultural symbols and artistic expressions are continuously reworked, revealing our collective memory and the intricate web of human culture.