Cartouche met kalligrafie, links- en rechtsboven een kind met vogel 1569

This print, made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, showcases an ornate cartouche filled with calligraphy, framed by symbolic elements. The cherubic figures holding birds—symbols of the soul—immediately draw our attention. Such figures echo motifs found across Renaissance and Baroque art, often representing innocence and divine connection. Yet, the bird, an ancient symbol, carries dual connotations. On one hand, it represents freedom and spiritual ascension. On the other, vulnerability and mortality. Think of the ancient Greek depictions of Eros, often shown with birds, embodying both the flight of desire and its fleeting nature. Here, the inclusion of this classical figure speaks to our collective unconscious, stirring deep-seated emotions related to purity, hope, and the transient nature of life. It is a cultural memory that speaks to the cyclical nature of human experience. The symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.