Kast en tafel 1885 - 1895

This lithograph presents us with a design for furniture, showcasing a cabinet and table in the Louis XII style. The pointed arches, quatrefoils, and finials draw directly from Gothic architecture, a style associated with spiritual aspiration and medieval craftsmanship. These motifs, prevalent in cathedrals and religious art, evoke a sense of grandeur and divine order. Consider how the pointed arch, initially a structural solution, became a symbol of reaching towards the heavens, a visual echo of humanity's spiritual yearning. We see similar vertical aspirations in the obelisks of ancient Egypt and the spires of Renaissance churches. The resurgence of Gothic elements here speaks to a cyclical return to historical forms, reflecting a collective memory that associates these shapes with authority, elegance, and perhaps even a longing for a perceived golden age. This neo-Gothic revival reveals how architectural symbols evolve, carrying cultural and emotional weight across centuries.