Schon newes Modelbuch...Page 11(r) 1617

Editor: Here we have “Schon newes Modelbuch...Page 11(r)” created in 1617 by Sigismundus Latomus, comprised of ink and engraving on toned paper. It feels very patterned and dense. I’m struck by the symmetry. How do you interpret this work, particularly given the array of symbolic figures? Curator: The power of this page resides precisely in that dense accumulation of symbols. We see echoes of medieval bestiaries, geometric patterns invoking a sense of order, and fantastical creatures—all coexisting. What feelings do these symbols evoke? Consider, for instance, the peacocks. Editor: They feel regal, almost proud. Are they a common motif? Curator: Absolutely. The peacock, often associated with vanity and pride, can also represent immortality because the ancients believed the peacock's flesh did not decay. Do you think the original viewers would have recognized all the symbolic meanings in the same way that we might attempt to decode them today? Editor: That's a great point. I suppose some symbols would have been immediately apparent while others may have been more personal or even lost over time. What about the inclusion of more mundane animals like sheep or deer? Curator: They introduce a tension. The juxtaposition of the everyday with the extraordinary could represent a dialogue between the earthly and divine realms or the blend between the idealized world and lived experience. It really shows the layers and cultural meaning infused in ornamental designs during this period. Editor: I see it now. It's a visual language meant to communicate complex ideas to those who could read it. Curator: Exactly. The book would offer this to craftspeople, a bridge between visual culture and functional use. Each careful rendering carries meaning. Editor: This was much more than a simple collection of designs; it’s a glimpse into the symbolic thinking of the time. Curator: Indeed. I hope looking closely has sharpened your understanding of this work’s cultural importance.