Deur van Kasteel Assumburg 1868

Isaac Gosschalk sketched this door of Assumburg Castle on the 16th of March in 1866. Consider the fleur-de-lis, or lily, that the artist sketched in wrought iron. This stylized lily, a motif deeply rooted in Western heraldry, is not merely a decorative element. It is a symbol of French royalty. Trace its transformation from a representation of purity and the Virgin Mary to a political emblem, adorning the banners and shields of kings. We see this symbol re-emerge time and again, each time imbued with the weight of its past associations. Think of the human psyche as a vessel where these symbols reside. The fleur-de-lis evokes feelings of power, tradition, and perhaps even a touch of nostalgia for bygone eras of chivalry and courtly love. Notice how this emblem, born from religious roots, transformed and reappeared throughout history. Like a recurring dream, this symbol offers a glimpse into our collective memory.