Illustration for Vyšehrad 

This illustration for Vyšehrad was created by Artuš Scheiner, though the date remains elusive. The most prominent visual symbol here is the embrace, a gesture laden with cultural and psychological weight. Throughout the ages, this act has signified not only love, but also grief, comfort, and even surrender. Recall the tender embraces depicted in classical pietà scenes where the Virgin Mary cradles the lifeless body of Christ. This motif echoes through time, reappearing in countless variations, from Klimt's romantic "The Kiss" to more contemporary expressions of solidarity. The embrace touches upon our deepest collective memories. Scheiner’s figures draw upon the subconscious; it is a potent reminder of our shared human experiences, engaging viewers on a profoundly emotional level. This non-linear, cyclical progression of the symbol highlights its enduring power, capable of resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings across different historical contexts.