Ontwerp voor kamerversiering met twee panelen met obelisken en portretmedaillon boven deur 1767 - 1823

Abraham Meertens rendered this design for a room decoration with pen and gray ink around the turn of the 19th century. The inclusion of obelisks beneath draped fabric is striking, acting as symbols of stability and remembrance, reminiscent of ancient Egyptian monuments repurposed to decorate contemporary interiors. Consider the obelisk—a symbol rooted in ancient sun worship and power—re-emerging in Neoclassical interiors. Its journey is a testament to the human desire to connect with a glorious past. Such forms have appeared throughout history, from ancient Rome, where emperors transported obelisks as trophies of conquest, to their prominent display in contemporary gardens, signifying a continuous fascination with permanence. The emotional resonance of these forms remains potent; the subconscious appeal to a timeless, unwavering structure. A dialogue between civilizations is awakened, layering our spaces with historical echoes and the silent power of ages past.