Trapeziumvormige vlakdecoratie met middenonder een cartouche met een spreuk c. 1564 - 1565

This striking trapezium, made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, teems with symbolic imagery, inviting us to delve into its rich cultural context. At its heart, we see a portrait encircled by a wreath, flanked by symmetrical arrangements of animals, tools, and mythical figures, all meticulously rendered. Notice the recurring motif of the grotesque mask, a face frozen in exaggerated expression. This symbol, deeply rooted in antiquity, served as a potent emblem in ancient theater, amplifying emotions and archetypes. Consider how this symbol has traversed time, reappearing in varied forms from commedia dell'arte to modern-day caricature, each iteration echoing the primal human capacity for emotional expression. The mask engages viewers on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory, a psychological echo of shared human experience. The arrangement of symmetrical patterns, on the other hand, mirrors our innate desire for order and balance. This design is not merely decorative but an enduring testament to the cyclical nature of symbols, perpetually resurrected and reimagined across the epochs.