Page of the universal atlas, IX. The known world of the Ancients 

Pierre Alechinsky created this artwork, ‘Page of the universal atlas, IX. The known world of the Ancients’, by layering ink over a geographical map, charting not only terrain but the psychological landscapes of human perception. Dominating the scene are grotesque figures sketched in thick black ink. These figures remind us of ancient bestiaries and mythological creatures, evoking a world where maps were not just geographical tools but also projections of human fears and fantasies. Note the beast at the top, a chimera with a fierce gaze, which bears striking resemblance to medieval gargoyles perched atop cathedrals, warding off evil spirits, or even the monsters described by Pliny the Elder. The map beneath these figures serves as a palimpsest, a surface where layers of meaning accumulate, and where the objective reality of geography is overwritten by the subjective reality of human imagination. The image suggests that our understanding of the world is always mediated through the lenses of culture, myth, and subconscious desires. It shows us the enduring power of symbols to shape our perceptions.