Staande vrouw met lamp 1895

This print by Mathieu Lauweriks presents us with a reclining figure adorned with potent symbols. Note the crescent moon with a star upon her head, ancient symbols associated with divinities linked to the night sky and the feminine. This echoes across millennia, from Mesopotamian goddesses to the Virgin Mary. The hands clasped in prayer, a gesture of supplication, reach back to antiquity, seen in countless votive offerings. Consider, too, how the star, often a symbol of guidance or destiny, appears near the figure’s feet. This evokes the cyclical journey of life, death, and rebirth. Such images tap into our collective memory, stirring emotions and anxieties that transcend time. The subconscious mind recognizes these symbols, forging a connection to ancestral beliefs and primal human experiences. They reappear time and again, molded by the hands of artists across cultures, each iteration adding new layers of meaning to their enduring power.