La Vera Perfettione del Disegno di varie sorti di recami, page 31 (recto) 1567

This is page 31 from "La Vera Perfettione del Disegno," made by Giovanni Ostaus in the 16th century. Within its borders, we see ornamental designs intended for embroidery, featuring a rich array of symbols and motifs. Notice the recurring presence of mythological figures and musical instruments; elements of classical antiquity. Consider the pipes, and winged mythological creatures, their roots lie deep in the collective memory, resurfacing throughout history. Such images, evoking the Dionysian rites, remind us of primal, ecstatic experiences, a connection to the subconscious. The constant reemergence and adaptation of these symbols speak to a powerful cycle of cultural memory, forever resurfacing to be reinterpreted.