Feniks c. 1530 - 1560

This print, known as Feniks, was made by Meester van de Dobbelsteen. The landscape, teeming with animals, centres around a tree in which a phoenix resides. The composition, with its delicate lines and contrasting tones, creates a sense of depth and movement. The phoenix, perched atop its nest, becomes a symbol of renewal. The surrounding animals, each rendered with meticulous detail, gaze upwards, as if in reverence. This scene evokes an allegorical space, where each element functions as a signifier within a broader narrative. The arrangement of these figures creates a semiotic system of signs, hinting at deeper meanings and inviting multiple readings. Consider how the artist uses line and form to destabilize traditional notions of space, and how the careful orchestration of elements challenges fixed meanings, opening the work to ongoing interpretations.