Philis kust de slapende Dametas 1778 - 1785

This print by Noach van der Meer II depicts Philis kissing the sleeping Dametas. We see the pastoral ideal: shepherds, sheep, and a dog amidst a tranquil landscape. The kiss, a motif laden with meaning across time, takes center stage. Consider the kiss. From the Bible's treacherous kiss of Judas to the tender kisses between mother and child, this simple act carries profound cultural and psychological weight. In ancient Rome, the osculum signified social rank and obligation. Now, consider Rodin's "The Kiss." Here, the embrace is passionate, forbidden, and eternal. The kiss in van der Meer's print evokes not only affection but also a sense of timelessness and connection to the past. The act of kissing, embedded in our collective memory, triggers a chain of associations. It resurfaces in different guises, reflecting the ever-evolving tapestry of human emotions and experiences.