Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Juli 1807, No. 15: Coeffure de Jeune personne... 1807

This anonymous print, created in July 1807, is part of a journal of fashion, luxury, and taste for women. The dominant symbol here is the garland, or 'guirlande,' a motif tracing back to ancient rituals of celebration and reverence for nature. The garland encircling the young woman’s head recalls similar adornments in classical antiquity, often associated with goddesses of springtime or fertility. In Roman art, garlands signified joy, peace, and victory, adorning temples and public spaces alike. But consider how this symbol has shape-shifted across time. In Renaissance paintings, floral wreaths might signify both earthly pleasure and spiritual devotion, a duality still present today. Here, the flowers are not merely decorative but psychologically resonant. They symbolize youth, beauty, and the fleeting nature of time, reflecting a collective memory of nature’s cycles and a subconscious longing for renewal. This image engages us on a deep, perhaps unconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical progression of life and the perennial allure of beauty.