Design for a Hall Lamp 1800 - 1810

This is Lamqua's "Design for a Hall Lamp," an ink and watercolor drawing. Notice the geometric patterns adorning its borders, which are reminiscent of the Wan symbol, an ancient Eastern motif. The Wan symbol, or swastika, predates the rise of Nazism by millennia, and represents the cosmos, eternity, and good fortune in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Here, the symbol echoes the cyclical nature of life. Its presence may also be rooted in the subconscious, a visual echo passed down through generations. The drawing invites us to consider how the echoes of ancient beliefs persist, subtly shaping our aesthetic sensibilities, and emotionally resonate with a sense of continuity.