Ornament met pelikaan 1884 - 1952

This is a sketch by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries. Here, a pelican is framed by ornamental foliage, drawn with a delicate hand. This motif of the pelican isn't just decorative; it carries a profound symbolic weight, especially within Christian iconography. Since the Middle Ages, the pelican has been seen as a symbol of sacrifice and charity. Legend says the mother pelican pierces her own breast to feed her young with her blood, mirroring Christ's sacrifice for humanity. This image, laden with pathos, appears throughout religious art, from illuminated manuscripts to grand altarpieces. Consider how this imagery resonates across time. The act of self-sacrifice, the offering of oneself for others, is a deeply rooted concept, touching on primal emotions and the subconscious desire for redemption. The pelican, therefore, becomes a vessel through which these universal themes are expressed and remembered. This emblem, reborn in new forms through the ages, is a testament to our shared cultural memory.