Hek met bloemmotieven en dennenappels 1772 - 1779

This is Jean Pelletier’s design for a chapel gate, featuring flower motifs and pinecones. The pinecone, prominently displayed, is a symbol laden with meaning across cultures and epochs. In ancient traditions, it represented enlightenment and spiritual awakening, linked to the pineal gland, seen by some as the seat of the soul. This motif appears in ancient Roman and Egyptian art, often associated with deities and concepts of immortality. Notice how Pelletier incorporates it here, atop a gate for a chapel. The gate itself is adorned with floral patterns, symbols of life, renewal, and divine beauty. These elements remind us of the interconnectedness of life, death, and rebirth. The image subtly engages with the viewer, triggering deep-seated emotions tied to faith, hope, and introspection, as the pinecone reappears in new forms, carrying echoes of its ancient significance.