Collage van uitgeknipte prenten geplakt op albumblad van blauw papier c. 1585 - 1700

This collage of cut prints on blue paper presents a fascinating array of symbols. Here, we see representations of both wild animals and those associated with nobility such as lions, as well as detailed floral patterns. The boar, prominently displayed, often symbolizes courage and ferocity, traits historically admired and adopted as emblems of power across various cultures, from ancient Germanic tribes to medieval heraldry. Notice the figure of the man in the center, who seems to be in control of nature, sitting in a pastoral setting. The presence of these symbols echoes through time, harking back to ancient tapestries and royal emblems, in which animals and plants served not merely as decoration but as potent conveyors of status and virtue. Even today, these symbols evoke a deep, perhaps subconscious, recognition of their historical weight, engaging viewers on a primal level. These symbols' continuous presence across history reveals a non-linear, cyclical progression, and their meanings evolve, reflecting the shifting sands of cultural interpretation and psychological resonance.