Twee schenkkannen before 1718

This engraving by Jean Lepautre showcases two ornate ewers, embodying the lavish spirit of the 17th century. Each vessel is adorned with motifs that speak to classical antiquity: one features a laurel-wreathed portrait, a symbol of honor and achievement echoing the Roman tradition of celebrating emperors and heroes. Observe how these classical elements intertwine with other symbols, such as the cherubic figures. These blend pagan and Christian allegories, seen in Renaissance art, to convey themes of love, innocence, and divine favor. These figures, like echoes from antiquity, reappear throughout art history. Think of Botticelli's Venus, reborn in a Christian era, still carrying the weight of ancient ideals, yet transformed by new cultural understanding. The power of the antique lives on, shaping our visual language in an ongoing dialogue between past and present. What primal, collective memory drives the recurrence of these forms, these symbols? The emotional power of this image lies in its ability to connect us to these echoes, engaging the subconscious with the enduring legacy of human experience.