Gevleugeld zeepaard met aan zijn staart een knop van bladeren 1580 - 1610

This tiny engraving presents a winged seahorse, its tail ending in a flourish of leaves, and was made by Giovanni Andrea Maglioli. During this era, mythical creatures such as this seahorse occupied a peculiar place in the cultural imagination. They were not merely whimsical figures, but rather symbols laden with meaning, often reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of the time. The seahorse, an amalgamation of horse and fish, embodies a kind of hybridity that speaks to broader themes of transformation, and the fluidity of identity. The addition of wings further complicates this narrative. What does it mean to combine elements that are so fundamentally different: earth, water, and sky? What new possibilities does this combination offer? This image asks us to consider how we reconcile disparate aspects of our identities. Does it challenge traditional representations? Does it offer alternative narratives about the self and society?