Arabesken met fakkel, vogels, pijlen en caduceus 1784 - 1796

This is a drawing titled “Arabesken met fakkel, vogels, pijlen en caduceus,” by Jean Baptiste Fay, held at the Rijksmuseum. It is rendered in pen and grey ink. The artwork presents a series of vertical ornamental designs, each contained within a rectangular frame. The compositions are symmetrical, featuring stylized motifs of foliage, birds, torches, arrows, and the caduceus. Fay masterfully employs line and form to create a harmonious balance between naturalistic and abstract elements. The symmetrical arrangements within each panel suggest a classical sensibility, yet the fluid lines and fanciful motifs hint at a departure from strict representational accuracy. Each design destabilizes any fixed meaning. These arabesques function as visual signs, blending elements of nature and classical symbolism. The rhythmic repetition of forms, contained within the structure of the panels, proposes a field for endless interpretation.