Kers en narcis 1617

This is an illustration of cherries and daffodils made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger. Cherries, emblems of paradise, and daffodils, symbols of vanity, come together in this early 17th-century work. Daffodils have long been associated with Narcissus, a figure from Greek mythology consumed by his own reflection. This motif resonates through time, appearing in Roman frescoes and Renaissance paintings alike, each echoing themes of self-obsession and mortality. One might consider the psychoanalytic implications: is Narcissus not a reflection of humanity's own subconscious preoccupation with the self? The flower, once a mere botanical specimen, becomes a mirror reflecting our deepest anxieties and desires. Observe how the artist renders these flowers with a delicate hand, capturing their ephemeral beauty. Yet, this beauty is tinged with melancholy, a memento mori reminding us of life’s fleeting nature. The cherry as a fruit on the tree also is a symbol of the transience of earthly pleasures, the sweetness that does not last. The image persists, taking on new layers of meaning. The cultural memory embedded in these symbols ensures their cyclical return, each iteration coloured by the context in which they resurface.