Albumblad met diverse voorstellingen 1814 - 1869

This album leaf with various scenes was made by Alexander Cranendoncq in the 19th century. The time in which Cranendoncq lived was one of huge scientific advancement, but there was also a rise in spiritualism and the occult. The juxtaposition of science and the supernatural are very prominent here. In the top left we see depictions of swimming and bathing which were becoming more commonplace in society. Then our eye is drawn to more unusual images. On the left, a figure reminiscent of carnival or ritual, that conjures a sense of mystery. The drawings of scientific apparatus indicate a mind that is both analytical and creative. It makes me wonder about what Cranendoncq was hoping to achieve. The emotionality of this piece lies in its enigmatic quality. It invites us to reflect on the changing attitudes towards science, spirituality and the self, that were prevalent in the 19th Century.