Friezes with Birds, Flowers and Meandering Wreaths and Scrolls (9) 1600 - 1620

Theodor Bang created this ornamented frieze with ink, featuring birds, flowers and wreaths. Note how the flowers, rendered with such delicate detail, seem to almost dance across the surface. These floral motifs and the meandering wreaths carry echoes of ancient Roman art, where they symbolized life, renewal, and the cyclical nature of time. Consider the wreath, a symbol that winds its way from classical antiquity to the present. Initially emblems of victory and honor, as seen worn by triumphant athletes and emperors, they later evolved into Christian symbols of resurrection and eternal life. Here, the wreaths, entwined with flowers, evoke a sense of continuous growth and enduring beauty. It’s as if the artist tapped into a deep, subconscious yearning for harmony and balance, a visual representation of the soul's quest for peace. These symbols are more than mere decoration; they are powerful carriers of memory, reminding us of the non-linear, cyclical progression of images and ideas throughout history.