Titelblad: Nouveaux Liure d'Ornements (...) 1712

This is Daniël Marot's etched title page, designed as a frontispiece for a book of ornament. The dominant motifs are putti, masks, and decorative foliage, all symbols of prosperity and artistic inspiration. These putti, or cherubic figures, are not merely decorative; they echo the ancient Greek Eros, representing love, desire, and creation. Similarly, the masks, grotesque and theatrical, remind us of the Roman theater, of the power of transformation and the interplay of human emotions. Masks appear throughout time, from ancient rituals to commedia dell'arte, each time reflecting societal anxieties and desires. Even the intricate foliage speaks of the natural world's abundance, echoing the Roman concept of "natura naturans," or nature begetting nature. Consider how the artist has tapped into a collective memory, evoking an emotional response that transcends time. These symbols continue to resurface, evolving and taking on new meanings, yet always retaining a link to their origins.