Marmeren sculpturen bij een schouw before 1889

This is a photograph depicting marble sculptures adorning the mantel and feet of a chimney in the wedding hall of the Hôtel de Ville d'Anvers. Notice the recurring motif of the grotesque—figures that blend human, animal, and plant forms. These images, often perceived as monstrous or comical, are not merely decorative. They tap into primal fears and desires, embodying a psychological tension. The grotesque has roots in antiquity, appearing in Roman frescoes and medieval gargoyles, initially intended to ward off evil. Here, the grotesque figures framing the fireplace subtly subvert the space of domesticity. They remind us that even within the most intimate settings, there is an undercurrent of the uncanny and a recognition of the multifaceted nature of the self. This symbol has undergone various transformations, reflecting changing cultural attitudes towards the body, the subconscious, and the boundaries between the natural and the artificial. It's a cyclical journey, as these symbols are continually reinterpreted, reflecting our evolving understanding of ourselves and the world.