Vruchten op een bord 1811 - 1849

Maria Geertruida de Goeje-Barbiers created this etching of fruits on a plate. The scene presents a classical still life, a genre laden with symbolic meaning. At its heart, the fruit motif is a timeless emblem of nature's bounty, the changing seasons, and the transience of life. Consider the grapes, symbols of both earthly pleasure and religious significance, often associated with Dionysus in ancient Greece and later, the blood of Christ in Christian iconography. This duality highlights the complex interplay between the sensual and the spiritual. The curling tendrils evoke the classical motif of the vine, symbolizing fertility and abundance, recalling imagery from ancient Roman frescoes to Renaissance paintings. These symbols resonate across time, resurfacing in various forms, each age imbuing them with new layers of meaning. The image carries an emotional weight, reminding us of the cyclical nature of existence and the enduring human fascination with the natural world. It’s a testament to how symbols evolve, adapt, and continue to speak to us across generations.