Uilenspel c. 1850

This print, known as "Uilenspel" by F.G.L. Holst, presents a circular composition filled with concentric bands of symbols, letters, and images, all rendered in stark black ink on a light background. The dense arrangement of visual elements draws the eye inward, inviting closer inspection of its intricate details. The choice of a circular format immediately evokes cyclical notions of games, fortune, and perhaps the very structure of knowledge itself. Holst divides the circle into segments, each containing a distinct emblem - from animals to everyday objects - set against a grid of numbers and letters. This can be interpreted as a kind of coded system, where each symbol functions as a signifier within a larger, unknown symbolic order. The overall effect is not merely decorative; it's a complex visual puzzle. The tight interlocking of the symbols and the grid suggests a challenge to fixed meanings. Holst invites us to engage with the artwork as an active participant, to decipher its enigmatic code.