Zeshoekige wierookbrander 1667

This etching depicts a hexagonal incense burner made by Françoise Bouzonnet, an artist active in the latter half of the 17th century. The burner is adorned with hybrid creatures, part-woman and part-serpent, evoking the ancient sirens of myth. These sirens, born of classical antiquity, served as potent symbols. Originally, they were envisioned as bird-women and later as mermaids, their enchanting songs luring sailors to their doom. Over time, the siren evolved, embodying both allure and peril, desire, and destruction. Here, the siren embodies an ancient memory, a symbolic echo resonating through centuries. Consider how the siren’s image has been repurposed, shifting from deadly temptress to romantic figure. Each transformation reveals a complex interplay between cultural memory and subconscious desires, forever re-emerging in our collective imagination.