Ontwerp voor een kamerversiering: een paneel met attributen van Saturnus 1767 - 1823

Abraham Meertens created this design for a room decoration with pen in the late 18th or early 19th century. At its base, a scythe lays next to an hourglass, both symbols of Saturn, the Roman god of time. This panel reflects the neoclassical tastes prevalent in Europe at that time. During this era, the wealthy and powerful drew inspiration from the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Institutions such as the French Academy in Rome gave artists the opportunity to study classical art first hand. The style was known for its emphasis on order, reason, and balance, qualities associated with the Enlightenment values of the period. But what does it mean to invoke the god of time in interior decoration? It could be a playful warning: even in this beautiful and orderly space, time marches on. To understand more, we can study sources like architectural pattern books and records of interior design from the period. With careful research, we can better understand the social meanings embedded in this artwork.