Gezicht in de tuin van de Arg van Karim Khan 1843 - 1854

Eugène Flandin created this artwork, "Gezicht in de tuin van de Arg van Karim Khan," with pencil and chromolithography. Dominating the foreground, a rectangular pool reflects not just light, but echoes the ancient motif of water as life's source. It mirrors the palace behind, suggesting a symbolic doubling. Note the figures scattered about; their relaxed postures and garb offer glimpses into a world of leisure and contemplation. These figures, however, are not merely placed; they're participating in a timeless tableau of human presence within cultivated nature. The enclosed garden, reminiscent of the Hortus Conclusus, transforms the image into a sanctuary, a refuge. This resonates with similar depictions across cultures, from Persian carpets to Renaissance paintings, where the garden symbolizes paradise. Observe how this symbol, like a wandering spirit, surfaces and evolves, reflecting collective desires for peace and order. Like dreams, such images tap into subconscious longings, expressing humanity's eternal quest for harmony and beauty.