Schenkkan naar rechts wijzend 1661

This engraving, made by Jean Lepautre, presents an elaborate ewer, a symbol of luxury and abundance, set within a lavish scene. The ewer is adorned with figures and foliage, embodying the opulence of the era. The ewer, with its ornate embellishments, echoes motifs found in ancient Roman vessels. This act of pouring, or libation, has roots in religious rituals, symbolizing offerings to the gods. One may even think of the cornucopia, or horn of plenty, which symbolizes abundance and nourishment. The recurrence of the ewer motif across cultures and centuries suggests a deep-seated human fascination with prosperity and divine favor. The emotional resonance of such symbols lies in their ability to evoke feelings of security, contentment, and perhaps even a longing for a golden age. The image of the ewer, therefore, is not merely decorative; it is a vessel brimming with cultural memory, constantly reshaped and reinterpreted across time.