Rolwerk langs een fries met vrouwelijke herme voor rolwerk 1589

This print was designed by Theodor de Bry, using engraving to create what appears to be a frieze. The dominant visual element here is the female herm, a figure emerging from acanthus leaves, flanked by winged dragons. This echoes ancient motifs of fertility and protection, reminiscent of temple decorations from classical antiquity. The herm figure, a symbol of transition and liminal space, is a motif that threads through history. We see echoes of this in Renaissance garden sculptures and even in later surrealist art. In each iteration, the figure adapts, reflecting the ever-changing human psyche. These symbols reveal how we, as viewers, engage with art on a subconscious level. The collective memory embedded in these images evokes strong emotional states. Through the non-linear progression of symbols, we continuously rediscover and reinterpret the cultural fragments that define us.