Lauwerkrans 1778 - 1838

This is Anthonie van den Bos's "Lauwerkrans", made with pen in grey ink. The artwork immediately strikes you with its simple yet profound form: an oval laurel wreath, meticulously rendered. The wreath is not just a decorative element, but a symbol, its circular shape suggesting wholeness and continuity. Two stems are crossed at the bottom. Van den Bos's use of grey ink adds a layer of complexity. The grey tones lend the wreath a ghostly presence, which destabilizes our understanding of the artwork's meaning and form. The wreath isn't solid, but seems to hover between presence and absence. Consider the cultural codes embedded within this image. Laurel wreaths have historically symbolized victory and honor. By presenting it in grey ink, van den Bos seems to play with these established meanings. It invites us to question fixed notions of triumph, suggesting that honor and victory may be more elusive.