Varkenshoeder, staande vrouw, dieren verkleed als mensen, Narcissus, een landschap en twee figuren in een bed Possibly 1864 - 1866

This collection of sketches was made by Firmin Gillot in the 19th century. The most striking image is surely Narcissus. Here, the artist shows us the figure of Narcissus, a well-known character from Ovid, staring at his own reflection on the water. The tale of Narcissus is one of fatal self-love and transformation. Narcissus rejected all romantic advances, leading to his demise as he fell in love with his own reflection. This is a theme that carries through the ages. Think of Caravaggio’s treatment of the story. The motif of the reflection isn’t just about vanity; it also symbolizes the human quest for identity and the perilous trap of self-obsession. It stirs something deep in our collective psyche—the subconscious lure of the self. So, you see, in Gillot’s sketch, Narcissus isn’t merely an isolated figure from mythology. He becomes a recurring mirror reflecting our own struggles. His story returns again and again, forever shaped by the shifting sands of cultural memory.