Ornament met twee paardenhoofden en twee vissen 1520 - 1562

This 16th-century engraving by Monogrammist AC showcases a fascinating array of symbols, chief among them, horses and fish. The pairing of these creatures, seemingly unrelated, speaks volumes. Notice how the horses and fish are mirrored, a symbol of duality, transformation, and perhaps the subconscious self. Horses have long been associated with power, virility, and freedom. Fish, on the other hand, often represent the depths of the unconscious, fertility, and spiritual renewal. These symbols recur throughout history, from ancient Greek mythology, where sea-horses pull Poseidon’s chariot, to Christian art, where fish symbolizes Christ. The recurring motif of the fish resonates through the ages, its scales shimmering with shifting meanings. Recall the early Christians, who used the fish as a secret symbol, a password into their hidden world. This image serves as a vessel, carrying within it the collective memory of our ancestors.