Design for a Candelabra 1765 - 1795

This is a drawing of a candelabra held by two women, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The women, draped in classical robes, support a vase overflowing with vegetation, topped with three candle flames. This composition recalls the ancient motif of the Caryatid, figures often used as architectural support, embodying strength and grace. Here, the women appear to carry the weight of light and life itself. This motif echoes through history, from ancient Greek temples to Renaissance fountains, each iteration subtly altering its symbolic load. The vase, a vessel of potential and abundance, is a symbol that reappears in various guises across cultures. Think of the cornucopia, overflowing with nature’s gifts. These forms engage our collective memory, tapping into primal associations of nurture, fertility, and the life force. The very act of bearing a load embodies a deep psychological resonance, evoking feelings of responsibility, burden, and perhaps even pride. And so, the candelabra stands as a testament to the enduring power of symbols, a reminder that the past is ever-present, shaping our perceptions and emotions in ways both conscious and unseen.