Bloemornament met vaas en menselijke hoofden c. 1602 - 1670

This intricate print, *Bloemornament met vaas en menselijke hoofden,* was created by Claude Rivard, sometime between 1592 and 1670. It presents a symmetrical arrangement dominated by a vase filled with stylized flowers and leaves, all rendered in stark black lines against a pale background. This creates a strong contrast that highlights the geometric patterns and the peculiar combination of natural and human forms. The composition is structured around the vase, which acts as a vertical axis. The vase and floral arrangement teeter between representation and pure abstraction. Human heads flank the vase, mirroring each other, but also disrupting the symmetry. This interplay between organic and geometric, human and botanical, destabilizes any singular interpretation. Rivard seems to be exploring the boundaries of representation itself. Note the number XVII inscribed at the upper right. The print may be a fragment from a larger series. Here, the rigid lines and calculated forms invite us to consider how such visual elements can convey symbolic meanings, challenging us to decode the cultural codes embedded within.