Allegorical Figures for a Ceiling Decoration 1615 - 1664

Michel Corneille the Elder sketched these Allegorical Figures for a Ceiling Decoration, capturing a dance of symbols that resonates through time. At its heart, we see a maternal figure cradling a child, an enduring image of nurturing and new beginnings. Consider how this motif echoes across centuries—from ancient depictions of Isis and Horus to the Madonna and Child of the Renaissance. Here, Corneille infuses it with a distinct Baroque sensibility. Note how the figure’s foot hovers over a sleeping bearded male figure, symbolizing the triumph of a new era over the old. The torch held by the maiden on the left speaks of enlightenment, a recurring symbol, as seen in ancient depictions of the Goddess Athena. Such allegories reveal our collective subconscious, our deep-seated hopes for renewal and progress, rendered visible. The emotional power of this composition lies in its appeal to fundamental human experiences of birth, hope, and the cyclical nature of time, engaging viewers on a profoundly subconscious level. The dance continues, as the symbols resurface, transformed, in each epoch.