Lamp 1935 - 1942

Charles Caseau’s "Lamp" presents a delicate study in light and symbol, a watercolor work featuring the fleur-de-lis, an emblem steeped in history. This stylized lily, prominently displayed, evokes French royalty and nobility, a symbol of purity and association with the Virgin Mary. The fleur-de-lis appears as early as ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, but its prominence in European heraldry, especially French, links it with power and divine right. Its recurrence through centuries speaks to its enduring appeal, a visual anchor that connects diverse eras. Think of the scepter topped with a fleur-de-lis in royal portraits, mirroring the lamp's ornate design. This emblem taps into a collective memory, awakening subconscious associations of authority and grace. Consider the lamp itself as a beacon, an idea that transcends time. We have an emotional connection to light, using symbols to link darkness and enlightenment through the ages. So, the fleur-de-lis, like the lamp, represents a confluence of secular and divine authority. It marks a non-linear journey through cultural memory.