Wereldbollen in twee helften 1690

This anonymous engraving presents two globes bisected to reveal their inner structures, bathed in radiant light. The upper globe, split into two halves, lays bare its layered core, much like the alchemical notion of stripping away the superficial to reveal inner truths. The light above reminds us of the all-seeing eye. Below, another globe floats, cradled by what appears to be clouds, split vertically by what seems to be a jagged rift running through its center. Water and landmasses scar the surface, suggesting geological or mythical transformation. The halved globes, reminiscent of cosmic eggs, evoke ancient myths of creation and destruction, resurfacing through epochs, from Greek cosmologies to medieval Christian allegories. This act of dividing and illuminating is not merely scientific; it is a powerful psychological symbol. It embodies humanity’s relentless quest for knowledge and control over the natural world. It suggests an attempt to understand the mysteries of existence by dissecting it, and perhaps, to assert dominance over it. These symbols, though rendered in ink, resonate with our deepest fears and aspirations, a pattern repeating through time.