Tlalmanalco IV 1975

Leonard Lehrer etched 'Tlalmanalco IV' in 1975, a print teeming with symbols rooted in ancient cultural narratives. Winged figures and serpentine forms intertwine, motifs that echo through time. Consider the winged figure: In ancient Mesopotamia, wings symbolized divinity and power, a visual language adopted by cultures spanning from Egypt to Greece. Lehrer’s use of this archetype bridges epochs, inviting us to contemplate the enduring human aspiration for transcendence. The serpentine forms introduce another layer; snakes often embody primal energy, transformation, and knowledge. Think of the serpent in the Garden of Eden or the caduceus of Hermes. These symbols resurface across vastly different cultural landscapes, revealing the persistent, perhaps subconscious, influence of shared human experiences. These are not merely aesthetic choices but powerful, archetypal symbols engaging us on a deeply subconscious level, reminding us that cultural memory is a living, breathing force.