Poëzie 1810 - 1823

Jean Prud'hon created this print, titled "Poëzie," where we see a winged figure, crowned with laurel, tenderly holding a lyre. The laurel wreath, a symbol of victory and status, finds its roots in ancient Greece, awarded to triumphant athletes and poets alike, signaling not just achievement but a kind of divine favor. The lyre, an emblem of Apollo, represents harmony, balance, and the civilizing power of music and verse. Consider how these motifs appear elsewhere: the winged figure, an angelic messenger, is seen across cultures, from ancient Assyria to Renaissance art, often representing divine intervention. The way these symbols reappear, transmuted through time, reflects our collective yearning for transcendence. They touch something primal, resonating with our deepest hopes and fears. The image itself, with its ethereal beauty, appeals to the subconscious mind. The cyclical progression of these images reminds us that culture is not linear; it’s an ongoing dialogue with the past, where symbols are constantly being reinterpreted.