Spreekwoorden

About this artwork

Een sater leest de tekst op het monument en kijkt door een vergrootglas. De andere sater heeft een panfluit in zijn hand. Het monument is begroeid met planten en gedecoreerd met twee hermen en een gehoornd masker.

Art Historical Context

"Spreekwoorden" (Proverbs) is a striking lithograph created by the artist Armand between 1867 and 1894. Measuring 235 by 342 millimeters, this print captures a whimsical yet enigmatic scene featuring two satyrs examining an ancient monument. One satyr intently reads an inscription through a magnifying glass, while the other holds a pan flute, evoking the sounds of nature. The monument itself, overgrown with vegetation and adorned with herms and a horned mask, blends classical motifs with a sense of decay and rediscovery. Lithography, the medium employed here, was a popular 19th-century technique valued for its ability to produce fine details and expressive textures, making art more accessible beyond elite circles. The imagery draws on mythological traditions, using satyrs—symbols of untamed nature and revelry—to explore themes of wisdom, interpretation, and the passage of time. The magnifying glass adds a layer of curiosity, suggesting a playful commentary on how we scrutinize ancient knowledge. This work reflects the era's fascination with classical antiquity reimagined through a romantic lens. Visitors may appreciate how Armand invites reflection on enduring proverbs amid nature's reclaiming forces, blending humor with deeper cultural resonance in a compact yet evocative composition.

About the Artist

Armand · 1590–1665

Herman van Swanevelt was in Paris in 1623 and lived in Rome from 1629 to 1638. He studied under Claude Lorraine and took the name Eremita. In 1646 he was again in Paris, in 1649 in Woerden and in 1652 in Paris, where he became a member of the academy of fine arts the following year. Comment on works: Landscapes.