Plate from the Print Series 'Grateske voer golt smeden Schrijnwerkers Ende andere des nodich hebbende' 1605 - 1615

This is a plate from the print series "Grateske voer golt smeden Schrijnwerkers Ende andere des nodich hebbende" by Meinert Gelijs. It presents three ornamental designs, each a symphony of curls and points, rendered for the use of goldsmiths and craftsmen. These patterns, born of ink, are descendants of ancient floral motifs, echoing the tendrils and blossoms found in classical friezes. See how the central design evokes the palmette, an ancient motif that has, over centuries, served as a symbol of life, growth, and even resurrection across cultures from Egypt to Greece. These motifs undergo a metamorphosis through the ages, embodying the principle of Nachleben, or the 'afterlife' of an image. The repetition of the teardrop shape, a universal symbol laden with emotion, speaks to our subconscious. It is reminiscent of tears, seeds, and drops of life-giving water, these shapes are imbued with the power to stir deep-seated feelings of sorrow, hope, and renewal. In this way, Gelijs' designs do more than decorate, they resonate.