Drie opnamen van panelen before 1883

Editor: We're looking at *Drie opnamen van panelen*, which translates to 'Three views of panels', by Emile Aubry, created before 1883. It's a mixed-media print featuring mural designs, showcasing decorative art styles. It's striking how the geometric patterns intertwine, creating a somewhat subdued yet intricate feel. What are your initial thoughts? Curator: Immediately, I am drawn to the geometric vocabulary. Notice how Aubry combines classical motifs—the acanthus leaves, the palmettes—with simpler geometric patterns. It is as if he is conducting a visual etymology, revealing the underlying structure beneath the ornate surfaces of previous eras. This appeals to a particular psychology. Editor: Psychology? Curator: Yes, the human need for order, for understanding. These aren’t simply decorations. They speak to a deeper desire to map and comprehend our surroundings through symbolic language. Are you not reminded of floor mosaics or painted panels from ancient villas? Editor: I see what you mean. The repetition could also suggest rhythm and harmony across time. Curator: Exactly. This act of referencing and simplifying past aesthetics creates a cultural memory – a continuous thread connecting us to those ancient artisans. Look closely. Can you see any motifs that repeat between the three panels? Editor: The floral elements seem to carry across, acting almost like... unifying markers? Curator: Precisely. These are anchors that hold meaning and intent, transforming mere decoration into a potent statement of continuity. Ultimately, these images can act as talismans reminding viewers of a deeper ancestral and human visual lineage. Editor: I hadn’t considered how powerful these familiar shapes might be! It really sheds new light on how images are so much more than decoration. Curator: Indeed. Aubry's prints serves as reminders that forms contain layers of meaning we are still deciphering today.