Vertoning van De Groeiende Boom (Lier), 1561 1561 - 1562

This page of the book “Vertoning van De Groeiende Boom (Lier)” was printed in 1561. Observe the ornamental motif. These stylized leaves, so meticulously rendered, remind us of similar patterns in classical friezes and Renaissance tapestries. You can almost see the echo of ancient acanthus leaves, which, for centuries, have symbolized endurance and immortality. The heart shape that outlines the leaves is another symbol. The symbol of the heart is often interpreted as a symbol of love and compassion. However, if we go back to ancient times, we can see that this symbol once was considered to be the location of memory and intellect. The persistence of such motifs speaks to a deeply rooted human need to connect with the past, to find continuity in the face of change. It’s as if the collective memory imprints itself upon our consciousness, guiding the artist's hand. What surfaces here are not just decorative forms but carriers of cultural memory. Symbols and iconography persist, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.