The Wassail 1900

Here we see Charles Rennie Mackintosh's "The Wassail," filled with stylized figures and floral motifs emblematic of the turn of the century. These are modern renderings of very old ideas. The image of paired figures flanking a central form echoes ancient Greek motifs—the twin gods, or the paired caryatids supporting temples. This visual structure suggests balance, harmony, and symmetry. Notice how the central figures carry orbs evoking the sun, a symbol prevalent across cultures, representing life and vitality. This symbol is not bound by time; it appears in the Egyptian sun god Ra, and later as the "Sol Invictus" of the Romans. It’s a recurring, almost archetypal image that reveals our collective fascination with celestial power. Here, these symbols engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking a shared cultural memory. Observe how these symbols have been reworked, passed down, and adapted through the ages. They are constantly resurfacing in new forms, reflecting the cyclical nature of cultural memory.