Plant 1891 - 1941

This print of a plant was made by Leo Gestel. Notice the plant's surface, divided into geometric patterns, a stark contrast to the organic forms of the plant itself. The shapes on the plant evoke the idea of a map, sections of land divided by borders. We might recall similar motifs in ancient cartography, where the known world was segmented into symbolic territories, each representing different aspects of the human experience. Over time, such cartographic symbols have appeared in various contexts, from religious iconography to political propaganda, each time reflecting the shifting power dynamics and cultural values of the era. The division in this artwork engages our deep-seated need to impose order on the natural world. The artist has tapped into our collective memory, evoking primal feelings of control and understanding. The geometric shapes superimposed on the plant thus become a means of taming the wild, a recurring theme in the human endeavor to comprehend our existence.