Frieze with Half-Length Female Figure Holding Two Horns at Center 1585 - 1595

This Frieze with a Half-Length Female Figure, made by Theodor de Bry, presents a fascinating array of symbols. At its center, a woman holds two horns, evoking the cornucopia, a classical symbol of abundance and nourishment. This motif of horns or vessels of plenty appears throughout history, from ancient Greek depictions of Amalthea’s horn to medieval Christian art representing divine grace. Note how de Bry's image combines classical and Renaissance elements. The female figure, adorned in classical garb, is flanked by serpentine forms—snakes that have been associated with both healing and chaos, and the balance between opposing forces in many cultures. Observe that the cornucopia, once a symbol of straightforward bounty, here takes on a more complex meaning. Its presence alongside potentially dangerous creatures suggests a world where prosperity and peril are intertwined. The image’s power lies in its ability to tap into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations of fertility, danger, and the cyclical nature of life. This non-linear progression of the symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.