Twee vlinders 1747 - 1802

Paulus Knogh rendered these two butterflies using pen and watercolor. The butterflies, symbols of transformation and the ephemeral nature of life, flutter across cultures, carrying diverse meanings. Consider the prominent eye-spots on the wings; these markings serve a dual purpose. In nature, they ward off predators, yet in the human psyche, eyes evoke protection, vigilance, but also the all-seeing gaze of deities. Think of the ancient Egyptian Eye of Horus, a symbol of protection, royal power, and good health. In the visual language of art history, we see these motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings. Like the butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, it represents a constant cycle of death and rebirth. In Knogh’s work, this symbol engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level.