Lente after 1622

This print, “Spring” by Matthäus Merian, captures the essence of the season in the 17th century. It's not just a depiction of spring; it's a tapestry of life, teeming with symbols of renewal and societal order. Notice how the figures are arranged, their actions deliberate. The horse, a symbol of vitality, is being tamed, reflecting humanity's control over nature. This mirrors the formal gardens in the background which signify order and control. Such gardens find echoes in ancient Persian paradise gardens, where symmetry and enclosure symbolized a divine harmony. The image pulses with a life force, reminiscent of the ancient Roman “genius loci”—the protective spirit of a place, in which both the natural world and the human spirit are intertwined. It is a reminder that even in the most controlled environments, the wild, uncontainable aspects of life persist, resurfacing in unexpected ways. It is a visual echo, resonating across centuries.