Spreekwoorden / Proverbes 1866 - 1902

Franciscus Antonius Beersmans created “Spreekwoorden/Proverbes”, likely a print, sometime in the 19th century. Immediately, the work strikes you with its compartmentalized composition, dividing the surface into twelve distinct vignettes, each bordered by a clean, white space. This geometric structure creates a sense of order, almost like a page from a children’s book, but the scenes themselves are far from simple. Each panel illustrates a proverb, rendered in a style that mixes the literal with the symbolic. The color palette is subdued, lending a somewhat antiquated feel. Notice how each scene is carefully composed to convey a narrative within its small frame. The use of visual metaphors invites you to decode each proverb, reflecting a broader interest in the relationship between language and representation. Beersmans seems to propose that by visually interpreting these sayings, we engage in a kind of semiotic exercise, translating cultural wisdom into concrete imagery. The geometric organization of each of the panels functions didactically, encouraging a systematic reading of cultural emblems.