Banknote motifs: panel of lathe work ornament with rounded ends, with a repeating floral pattern 1819 - 1847

This panel of lathe work ornament with rounded ends was created by Cyrus Durand. The artwork presents a repeating floral pattern, meticulously crafted on a small plate. The composition is dominated by an intricate, symmetrical design featuring a central row of floral motifs. The structure of the design, with its repetition and symmetry, speaks to a deeper order, a kind of visual semiotics where each element is carefully placed to communicate stability. The floral pattern, rendered in fine lines, draws the eye into its complexity. The rhythmic repetition creates a sense of movement and harmony, reflective of Durand’s expertise in ornamental engraving. The design’s very structure suggests a tension between the organic and the geometric, the natural and the constructed. As we consider this design, it's worth noting that what we see here is not merely a decorative pattern. It’s a sophisticated system of signs, each line and curve carrying a specific weight within the overall composition. The artwork invites us to question the very nature of representation and the boundaries between art and functionality.