The Zodiac Series
A Hermetic Legacy
Among Johfra Bosschart's extensive oeuvre, no single project has achieved the cultural ubiquity of his Zodiac Series. Comprising twelve paintings completed between 1974 and 1975, this series became the defining visual representation of astrology for the burgeoning "New Age" movement of the 1970s. However, behind the glossy posters lies a dense tapestry of Hermetic philosophy, Kabbalah, and Neoplatonism that elevates these works far beyond mere illustration.
The Commission: Commerce Meets Mysticism
The genesis of the series lies in a 1973 meeting between critic Hein Steehouwer and poster magnate Engel Verkerke. Verkerke sought a definitive artistic interpretation of the twelve sun signs. Steehouwer suggested Johfra.
For Johfra and his wife, Ellen Lórien, this lucrative commission was life-changing; the financial stability it provided allowed them to purchase and renovate the Moulin de Peuch, the water mill in the French Dordogne that would become their sanctuary.
The Alchemical Process
Johfra approached the commission not as a commercial job, but as a rigorous spiritual exercise. He dedicated himself to the series for over a year, adopting a unique methodical approach:
- 1. The Retrograde Path: He painted the signs in reverse order, beginning with Pisces (the end) and concluding with Aries (the source). This reversal suggests a return to the source, a common Gnostic theme.
- 2. Technique for Reproduction: Aware they were for print, he utilized a brighter, more vibrant color scheme to ensure details remained legible when mass-produced.
- 3. The Patron: Before completion, gallery owner Walter Kamp was so impressed he purchased all twelve original paintings.
Decoding the Signs
Johfra's Zodiac is a "harmonious synthesis" of Western Esotericism, drawing upon Kabbalah, Tarot, Alchemy, and Magic.
"The deepest truths can only be approached through myths and symbols... A truly universal archetypal symbol works deep down; it touches the unconscious essence of the individual who thereby recognizes it from inside." — Johfra
Scorpio
Not just a scorpion, but a site of alchemical transmutation featuring an Athanor (furnace) to burn away impurities.
Aquarius
Moves beyond the "Water Bearer" to explore the New Age, incorporating Atlantean motifs and futuristic elements.
Libra
The Scales, depicted with exquisite symmetry and balance, representing the mediation between opposing forces.
Reception: The Double-Edged Sword
The posters sold in the millions, adorning rooms worldwide. The public embraced Johfra as a visionary guru. However, the art establishment largely dismissed the series as kitsch.
For Johfra, the success became a burden. He felt imprisoned by it, lamenting that the public ignored his darker, more complex Surrealist works like the Maldoror series in favor of "the zodiac artist" label.