Titelpagina voor: Huwelyks dichten ter gelukkiger verëeniginge van (...) Jacob van Lennep Aarnoudsz. met jongvrouw Petronella de Neufville, 1711 1711

Pieter Sluyter’s engraving from 1711, made for the wedding of Jacob van Lennep and Petronella de Neufville, is replete with symbols that speak volumes about its time. Above the betrothed floats an all-seeing eye, emanating divine rays. This motif, claiming to represent God's omniscience, has roots stretching back to ancient Egypt and resurfaces in the Renaissance as a symbol of divine providence. Here, it suggests a blessing upon the union, an assurance of spiritual oversight. But note how this differs from the Eye of Providence, a later iteration connected with Freemasonry and revolutionary ideals. This symbol, once a comforting emblem of divine watchfulness, would later evoke images of hidden orders. The emotional weight of this image lies in its appeal to a higher authority, tapping into a deep-seated human desire for guidance and protection. It’s a poignant reminder of how symbols evolve, carrying the weight of cultural memory, constantly shifting, ever alive.