Omlijsting met Griekse motieven, scarabeeën en vliegen 1897 - 1899

Here we have 'Omlijsting met Griekse motieven, scarabeeën en vliegen' by Theodore Roussel, a piece showcasing the artist's intricate etching style. Roussel, a Frenchman who spent much of his career in London, was deeply involved in the Aesthetic movement, which advocated for art’s independence from moral or narrative content. The print is composed of a dark central reserve surrounded by stylized motifs. Drawing from classical Greek designs, Roussel intertwines scarabs and flies, symbols often associated with transformation and the ephemeral nature of life. This melding of high art with representations of the everyday, complicates traditional hierarchies of value. Roussel's approach invites us to reflect on how cultural symbols are repurposed and recontextualized, as well as how beauty can be found in unexpected places. This work embodies a shift towards art that emphasizes aesthetic experience and personal expression, inviting viewers into a world where beauty and meaning are intertwined with the intimate details of life.