Allegorie op Verkeerde Overtuiging (Opinio) 1721 - 1771

This engraving, "Allegorie op Verkeerde Overtuiging (Opinio)," was created by Jeremias Wachsmuth in the 18th century. The eye is immediately drawn to the stark contrast between the allegorical figure dominating the composition and the symbols scattered below. The figure of Opinio, blindfolded and enthroned on a sphere, holds an instrument of measurement, embodying the precarious and unsteady nature of flawed conviction. This is emphasized by the objects beneath her: discarded weaponry and toppled crowns signify the destruction of reason, and the wheel represents the endless, futile turning of unfounded belief. Wachsmuth's composition uses a semiotic language to explore the conflict between truth and falsehood. The destabilization of established power, suggested by the broken symbols, implies the chaotic potential of false convictions to undermine social order. By contrasting the figure of flawed conviction with the wreckage of reason and power, the artist prompts us to reflect on the precarious nature of knowledge. The artwork thus functions as a visual essay on the dangers of unchecked belief.