Two Male Busts with Head-dresses for the Ballet 1525 - 1600

René Boyvin created this print of two male busts with head-dresses for the ballet in the 16th century. Observe the elaborate head-dresses, adorned with symbolic elements: feathers, classical figures, and architectural motifs. These are not mere decorations; they are carriers of meaning. Consider the feather, a recurring symbol of power, divinity and spirituality, dating back to ancient civilizations. In Egyptian iconography, feathers were associated with Ma’at, goddess of truth and justice, and in ancient Greek mythology, they were linked to the gods. Similarly, the classical figures atop the head-dresses evoke the rich tapestry of Greco-Roman culture, signaling a connection to wisdom, heroism, and idealized beauty. These symbols speak to a deeper psychological impulse—the human desire to connect with our ancestors. Their presence in this print is part of an ongoing story. As they are passed down through generations, they are reinvented, revitalized, and imbued with new layers of meaning.