La lime enchantée / De betooverde vijl 1833 - 1911

This sequential print by Brepols & Dierckx Zoon illustrates “La Lime Enchantée,” a tale brimming with familiar motifs. Central is the dragon, a symbol transcending cultures, embodying chaos and untamed power. Here, it's ridden, tamed—a motif echoed through antiquity, from Saint George to depictions of Alexander. Consider its evolution: In ancient Mesopotamia, dragons symbolized primordial chaos; yet, in medieval Europe, they guarded treasures, embodying challenges to be overcome. This ambivalence speaks to our deep-seated, subconscious fascination with primal forces, both feared and revered. Note, too, the tower, a universal symbol of isolation and imprisonment, yet also of aspiration. The damsel within evokes countless myths, reflecting our collective anxieties about vulnerability. These images resonate because they tap into a primal, emotional landscape. These symbols are not static; they evolve, resurface, and are continually reinterpreted, echoing through time.