Grammatica 1663 - 1716

This engraving by Jacques-Antoine Friquet de Vauroze presents us with an allegory of Grammar, depicted as a classical figure pouring water from a vessel onto plants, while leaning on a pedestal with a scroll. This image speaks volumes about the perceived role of grammar: as a nurturing source that cultivates and refines language. The motif of pouring liquid to nourish growth is ancient. We find it echoed in images of fertility goddesses across various cultures, from the Egyptian Isis to the Roman Ceres. In those contexts, this gesture symbolized the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. Here, the symbolic act suggests that grammar is not merely a set of rules but a life-giving force. But consider the subtle shift; the emotional weight of the image turns on the scroll, symbol of knowledge. By associating Grammar with the life-giving symbol of water, the work elevates language to a vital, almost sacred status, engaging our subconscious understanding of growth and cultivation. A cyclical progression, indeed.