Druiventros op tafel 1824 - 1881

Elise Therèse Daiwaille masterfully rendered this "Druiventros op tafel" as a lithograph. In this tableau, the grapes aren't merely fruit; they are a symbol of abundance and fertility, deeply embedded in our collective memory. The motif of grapes can be traced back to ancient Greece, where they were associated with Dionysus, the god of wine, ecstasy, and theatre. In Christian iconography, grapes represent the blood of Christ, a symbol of sacrifice and redemption. Consider Caravaggio's "Bacchus," where grapes exude a sensual, almost carnal allure. In contrast, Daiwaille's grapes are more restrained, reflecting a shift towards more subtle symbolism. Yet, even in this quieter depiction, they retain a primal connection to pleasure and transformation. The enduring appeal of this motif reveals the human psyche's timeless fascination with nature's bounty and its symbolic potential. It’s as if the collective unconscious remembers these forms, imbuing them with a sense of familiarity and emotional resonance that transcends time.