Titelprent van Boek 3 van De Ystroom (1671) van Antonides van der Goes 1671

This etching was made by Romeyn de Hooghe in 1671, serving as the title print for Book 3 of Antonides van der Goes' "De Ystroom." Observe the opulent banquet scene populated with mythological figures, hinting at themes of abundance and perhaps, excess. The trident held aloft immediately recalls Neptune, god of the sea, symbolizing dominion over the aquatic realm. But, consider too how the trident, in a different guise, appears in Christian iconography as the Devil’s pitchfork, a tool of torment. This duality reveals how symbols evolve, carrying contrary meanings across cultures and epochs. Note the cornucopia overflowing with fruit. Throughout history, the cornucopia has been synonymous with prosperity, a motif echoed in ancient Greek and Roman art, signifying nature’s bounty. Yet, even such a benign symbol can acquire darker undertones. The lavish feast and the figures reclining in apparent indolence might evoke the dangers of unchecked indulgence. It is here that the image's psychological force emerges, inviting viewers to reflect on the precarious balance between plenty and profligacy, a tension that continues to resonate deep within our collective consciousness.