Mei 1705 - 1766

This anonymous print, "Mei", resides here at the Rijksmuseum, a work of graphic art with an intriguing composition. At first glance, the eye is drawn to the symmetrical arrangement of ornate botanical patterns, framing a central scene depicting a Maypole dance. This symmetrical structure serves as a visual anchor, grounding the fantastical elements within a structured framework. The image destabilizes the conventional distinction between the natural and artificial. The organic, free-flowing floral designs contrast with the geometric precision of the frame. This interplay between fluidity and rigidity introduces a sense of dynamic tension, blurring the boundaries between the wild and the cultivated. The image invites us to consider the complex relationship between art and nature. Look again at how the symmetrical and highly decorative frame contrasts with the image within it. The dance, a primal ritual, is contained and mediated by the elaborate designs around it, suggesting a discourse on how culture and tradition are framed and presented. The composition becomes a site where these dualities negotiate, where the natural and the artificial merge into a larger cultural narrative.