Design for a Lectern 16th century

This is a pen and brown ink sketch of a design for a lectern, unsigned and undated. Note the prominent figure at the top, a seated man holding what appears to be a lyre. Such a figure suggests the importance of music or the spoken word. Throughout history, similar figures have appeared, often linked to Apollo, the Greek god of music and light, embodying the harmony and order that music brings. Yet, here, he seems almost introspective. Look at the cherubic figures and grotesque masks adorning the lectern’s base. This juxtaposition of the sacred and the profane is a recurring theme in art. The cherubs, symbols of divine love, contrast sharply with the grotesque masks, which represent primal, chaotic forces. These masks—echoes of ancient rituals to ward off evil—reveal a deep-seated human fascination with confronting and controlling the darker aspects of our psyche. It's a reminder of the enduring power of symbols and motifs to resurface and transform, resonating with us across centuries.