Dubbel wandpaneel met serietitel 1658

This panel print, conceived by an anonymous hand, presents us with a meticulously adorned structure reminiscent of a classical altar. Dominating the upper register is a prominent seashell motif, a symbol laden with historical and religious significance. The seashell, often associated with pilgrimage and spiritual rebirth, finds resonance in diverse cultural contexts. We see its echoes in the scallop shells worn by pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela, a symbol of purification and transformation. This motif transcends geographical boundaries, appearing in Renaissance paintings as an emblem of Venus, goddess of love and beauty, suggesting the birth of divine beauty from the sea. Such symbols are not mere decoration; they resonate with the collective unconscious, engaging viewers on a profound psychological level. The persistence of the seashell motif across millennia speaks to its enduring power, inviting us to contemplate the cyclical nature of cultural memory, and how these symbols resurface, evolve, and assume new meanings in varied historical contexts.