Liefdesgedicht 1656

This page of calligraphy, titled "Liefdesgedicht" or Love Poem, was created by Gesina ter Borch, around the mid-17th century. Notice how the text meanders across the page, each line ending with ornate flourishes. This technique, reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts, evokes a sense of preciousness. The poem itself, filled with symbols of love, carries echoes of earlier traditions. Consider the use of the 'ligila' motif at the end of some verses. This could be compared to similar visual refrains found in medieval tapestries, where repeated patterns served to emphasize particular themes. We can see how such motifs, deeply embedded in the collective memory, have been used to evoke feelings of devotion and longing. The very act of writing, with its rhythmic strokes, becomes a ritualistic expression of emotion. The cyclical return to the 'ligila' motif underscores a timeless yearning for connection.