Nieuwjaarswens voor 1937 van Ir. A.H. Schelling en familie 1936

Ir. A.H. Schelling and family created this New Year’s greeting card for 1937. Note the stylized sun-like element framing ‘1937’. This symbol is a potent life-affirming emblem: the Sun, a universal symbol of life, energy, and renewal, appears in numerous cultures across time. This visual lexicon can be seen in Ancient Egyptian art, where the sun god Ra was central, and the sun disc represented divine power. The motif re-emerges during the Renaissance, where the 'Sol Invictus,' or 'Unconquered Sun,' symbolized the triumph of reason and enlightenment. Here, the sun-like imagery blends with Art Deco’s geometric forms, reflecting optimism amid the inter-war period. It speaks to a deep, subconscious longing for light during uncertain times. This symbol becomes a cultural bridge, linking past hopes to future aspirations. Note how symbols aren't static; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings as humanity’s story unfolds.