Kartuslikkus

Kartuslikkus is a term that describes a specific type of artistic or literary presentation where a narrative or concept is enclosed within a frame or structure that mimics the appearance of a cartouche. A cartouche, historically, was an oval or oblong emblem, often bearing hieroglyphs, used by the ancient Egyptians to enclose the name of a royal personage. In modern contexts, the term kartuslikkus extends this idea to refer to any instance where an artistic work, text, or idea is presented as if it were contained within a decorative border, much like a label or a seal.

This stylistic device can appear in various media. In graphic design, it might manifest as a logo or illustration that is set within a stylized frame. In literature, kartuslikkus could refer to a story within a story, where the outer narrative acts as the "cartouche" for the inner tale. It can also be used metaphorically to denote a concept that is self-contained or deliberately isolated from its broader context for examination or emphasis. The effect of kartuslikkus is often to draw attention to the enclosed content, to present it as significant, or to lend it a sense of formality or historical weight, echoing the original use of cartouches to signify importance and authority.