Moderne grotesken met twee medaillons before 1724

This print, made by Jeremias Wolff, presents two panels teeming with what the artist called "modern grotesques." The term reflects the rediscovery of ancient Roman decorative motifs during the Renaissance. Notice the abundance of flora, fauna, and mythological beings. The panels are populated with images of winged sphinxes, classical busts, and lush garlands, all symbols that hearken back to antiquity. These images were often used in Roman art to decorate walls and ceilings, evoking a sense of luxury and sophistication. Consider the sphinx, a hybrid creature that appears here with both animal and human attributes. In ancient Egypt, the sphinx symbolized power and protection. The symbol’s later revival demonstrates our enduring fascination with the mythical world, as a way for the human psyche to process fears and desires. This non-linear progression of symbols, their evolution, and their resurfacing in various contexts, speaks to the powerful currents of cultural memory and the cyclical nature of artistic inspiration.