Fontein en diverse vazen 1820

This delicate drawing by Pierre-Nicolas Beauvallet depicts various fountains and vases, showcasing a keen interest in classical motifs. Note the cherubs spouting water, symbols of innocence and divine love. These figures evoke classical sculptures of Eros, the god of love, often depicted with a playful, mischievous spirit. Water itself symbolizes purification and life. Observe the recurring motif of the grotesque mask—a face frozen in an exaggerated expression. These masks have ancient roots, believed to ward off evil spirits. You will recall similar faces adorning ancient Greek theaters, amplifying the drama of the stage, and even, in a far more unsettling context, in the architecture of certain Romanesque churches, intended to frighten away the unholy. Here, this potent symbol resurfaces, subtly altered, bearing witness to the enduring power of the collective unconscious, reminding us that symbols are never truly lost, but transformed.