Ronde bank en twee fauteuils 1832 - 1877

This print depicts furniture designs, showcasing a round bench and two armchairs. The chairs, adorned with floral and fleur-de-lis patterns, offer us a glimpse into the decorative arts and social customs of its time. Consider the fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, that we see on one of the armchairs. Originally associated with French royalty, particularly the Capetian dynasty, this emblem symbolized perfection, light, and life. Yet, its roots trace back further, echoing in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian art. The lily, often linked to goddesses and fertility, evolves across cultures. It resurfaces during the medieval period in Christian iconography, representing purity and the Virgin Mary. The life of images is never linear. Such symbols carry a potent psychological charge, evoking feelings of reverence, authority, and continuity. Through collective memory, these motifs resurface, transformed yet familiar, engaging us on a subconscious level. The fleur-de-lis, for instance, moves from sacred to secular contexts, signifying power and status. This eternal return shapes our understanding and emotional response to art.