Hyacinth-Shaped Brooch with Winged Snakes at Top and Winged Animals at Bottom 1596

Daniel Mignot created this striking design for a hyacinth-shaped brooch with etching. The composition commands attention through its symmetry. At its core, a vertical axis is anchored by a stylized floral motif, flanked by winged snakes and animals. Mignot masterfully uses line and form to create balance, and the intricate details of the snakes and floral patterns suggest movement within a rigid structure. The design reflects the period's fascination with symmetry and ornamentation. The placement of mythical creatures introduces an element of the fantastical. These symbols can be interpreted through a semiotic lens, where animals and plants signify status, power and cultural values. Notice the contrast between the organic, flowing lines of the winged creatures and the geometric precision of the floral pattern. Mignot invites us to consider how these contrasting elements interact. They create a tension that destabilizes any fixed meaning, prompting an ongoing interpretation of form and symbol.