Convenit Felicibus 1869 - 1925

Antoon Derkinderen conceived this watercolor drawing, "Convenit Felicibus", integrating ancient motifs in a new composition. At its heart, we find two figures beneath an arch, a hanging lamp above them. The lamp, an ancient symbol of enlightenment, transcends cultures, appearing in Egyptian, Greek, and Roman contexts as a beacon of knowledge, a spark of divinity. Even in modern times, Freud used lamps to illustrate the hidden chambers of the subconscious. The figure seated, holding what appears to be a flower or a flame, echoes classical representations of contemplation and inner illumination. Consider the many variations of the 'Ecstasy of Saint Teresa' by Bernini, where divine inspiration ignites an internal fire. Such images touch upon the profound human yearning for understanding, a quest that has echoed through centuries and continues to shape our collective consciousness. This quest for light is a cultural thread that binds us.