Allegorie van het jaar 1788

This allegorical etching of the year was crafted by Christian Bernhard Rode. A maiden stands in classical garb, bearing wheat and a cornucopia of fruit, symbols of Summer and Autumn's bounty. Observe how the sickle in her hand, an instrument of harvest, echoes the curve of the waxing moon, a universal symbol of growth and cyclical return, deeply rooted in ancient agrarian societies. The cornucopia, overflowing with nature’s gifts, is a motif stretching back to antiquity, often associated with the Roman goddess Fortuna, embodying prosperity and abundance. Consider the psychological weight of these symbols. The hope for a fruitful harvest, the fear of scarcity - these primal emotions are encoded in our collective memory. Rode taps into this deep well, presenting an idealized vision of nature’s generosity, a recurring dream that transcends time. See how these symbols reappear even today, during Thanksgiving, in rituals and art, reminding us of our dependence on the Earth’s cycles, and the ever-turning wheel of the year.