Skitse af kalkmaleri i hvælvkappe 1900 - 1905

Niels Larsen Stevns sketched this study for a vault fresco with graphite on paper. Note the fleur-de-lis motif, which is prominently featured in the design. Historically, the fleur-de-lis has been associated with French royalty, symbolizing perfection, light, and life. The motif’s roots can be traced back to ancient symbols of fertility and royalty. One can observe similar stylized floral patterns in Egyptian art, where the lotus flower carried connotations of creation and rebirth. Over time, the fleur-de-lis transitioned from a symbol of religious significance to a heraldic emblem, signifying power and sovereignty. The adoption of the fleur-de-lis by the French monarchy imbued it with an aura of divine right. When we observe this symbol, we are not merely seeing a decorative element, but rather encountering an artifact of collective memory. The images we encounter in art have a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level and evoking intense emotional states. In this way, the use of a fleur-de-lis is not a linear progression, but rather a cyclical journey of a symbol that has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.