Kamperfoelie en framboos 1617

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger created this image of honeysuckle and raspberry, sometime in the 17th century, using engraving. Both plants bear rich symbolism. The honeysuckle, with its twining vines, often represents enduring bonds of love. But consider its ancient roots, reaching back to classical antiquity: the Greeks associated it with passionate embrace, the intertwining stems echoing lovers entwined. The raspberry, its ripe, red fruit, traditionally symbolizes kindness. The sweetness of the fruit evokes associations with nurturing and care. We see similar fruit and vine motifs in Roman frescoes and Renaissance tapestries. The persistence of these symbols, and their reappearance across centuries, suggest an enduring human fascination with themes of love and kindness. This engraving offers a glimpse into the collective unconscious, and the timeless echoes of human emotion.