Ratio c. 17th century

This small, undated print, simply titled "Ratio," presents us with a fascinating allegorical scene. On one side, figures bearing gifts approach a regal figure seated upon a throne. Notably, a child lies prostrate at the foot of the throne, a potent symbol of innocence or sacrifice. Consider the recurring motif of the enthroned ruler, echoed throughout history from ancient Near Eastern depictions of kingship to the representations of emperors in Rome. The very act of sitting upon a throne implies authority, control, and the exercise of reason. The supine child, however, introduces an element of vulnerability, echoing the "pathos formula" we see in depictions of abandoned or sacrificed figures. The emotional tension generated between power and helplessness engages the viewer on a deep, subconscious level. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of power, perpetually poised between creation and destruction, mercy and judgment, forever resurfacing in our collective consciousness.