Behangpapier met schermbloemen, vlinders en libellen c. 1894

Theo Nieuwenhuis created this wallpaper design with ink and possibly opaque watercolor. Its dominant symbols include umbel flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies. Butterflies and dragonflies, emblems of metamorphosis and the soul’s journey, flutter among the umbel flowers, which, like mandalas, represent the universe in bloom. These symbols tap into our collective memory, echoing ancient beliefs in transformation and the cyclical nature of life. Consider the butterfly, its fragile beauty a reminder of fleeting moments, yet its transformation from caterpillar to winged creature resonates with the enduring human hope for rebirth. The emotional power of these symbols lies in their ability to engage us on a subconscious level, stirring deep-seated feelings of awe, wonder, and the eternal dance of existence. They serve as a reminder of the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The dragonflies and butterflies become psychopomps, guiding spirits, subtly interwoven with our emotional responses to nature’s beauty and mystery.