Illustratie bij gedicht uit dichtbundel Sagesse van Paul Verlaine 1895 - 1897

Maurice Denis created this woodcut illustration for Paul Verlaine's "Sagesse." The dominant motif here is the female figure herself, embodying a complex interplay of purity and sensuality, repentance and earthly pleasure. Note how the figure on the left recalls the Venus Pudica, an ancient symbol of modesty. Yet, her nudity and raised arms also evoke a sense of vulnerability. This duality is not unique; images of women, especially those associated with sin or redemption, often carry conflicting messages. Consider, for example, the figure of Mary Magdalene, frequently depicted both as a repentant sinner and a devoted follower of Christ. This duality is an expression of our own internal conflicts, the tension between the sacred and the profane that shapes our cultural psyche. Here, the artist taps into a deep, subconscious understanding of these archetypes, engaging us on an emotional level. Thus, through figures like these, we see how symbols evolve, their meanings layered and reshaped across time, reflecting humanity's evolving relationship with morality, spirituality, and the self.