Lint van crèmekleurig gaas van 9 meter c. 1900 - 1915

Here we see a roll of cream-colored gauze, nine meters in length, by Gustav Schnitzler. Though seemingly simple, this material evokes a powerful interplay of symbolism. The roll, a shape found across cultures and epochs, speaks to continuity and cycles. Think of the Ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, an ancient symbol of eternity. The gauze itself, delicate and permeable, suggests vulnerability, often linked to healing, protection, and even mourning. We see gauze in Renaissance paintings, swaddling the infant Christ, embodying purity and fragility. Similarly, consider its use in burial shrouds across cultures. The gauze thus transcends mere material; it is a conduit for our deepest emotions, a tangible link to universal experiences. The circular nature of the roll and the fragility of the gauze powerfully engage viewers on a subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical, often delicate nature of life itself.