Illustration til Adam Olearius, “Persianischer Rosenthal von einem Sinnreichen Poeten Schich Saadi […]”, Schleswig 1660 1660

This illustration by J. Muller, made in Schleswig in 1660, visualizes Adam Olearius's edition of Saadi's "Persianischer Rosenthal". The artwork depicts couples in different stages of courtship, suggesting themes of love, union, and societal harmony. Consider the recurring motif of couples embracing, echoing the classical theme of marital love as seen in Roman sarcophagi. The gesture of embrace, a universally understood symbol of affection and connection, transcends cultural boundaries. In "Persianischer Rosenthal", this symbol intertwines Persian literary aesthetics with European visual traditions. These gestures are not mere depictions but potent conveyors of emotional states, engaging the viewer on a subconscious level. As we delve into the symbolic language of this illustration, we begin to understand the complex interplay between personal emotions and collective cultural memory. This illustrates how symbols resurface and evolve, taking on new meanings across different historical contexts, reflecting the cyclical nature of human experience.