Scheme of Christian Kabbalism from Heinrich Khunrath, Amphiteatrum sapientiae aeternae 1535 - 1611

Peter van der Doort created this engraving, Scheme of Christian Kabbalism, around 1600. The circular design immediately draws the eye to the dense layering of text and symbols. Emanating from the center is a radiant, sun-like figure, surrounded by concentric rings filled with Latin and Hebrew inscriptions. The composition is structured around the interplay between these textual layers and the symbolic imagery, creating a complex visual and intellectual framework. This arrangement suggests a symbolic representation of the universe, with the divine at its core and layers of meaning unfolding outward. The Kabbalistic scheme challenges fixed notions of representation by embedding theological and philosophical concepts within its visual structure, inviting the viewer to decode its intricate semiotic system. Note how the circular form becomes a symbol of both unity and endless interpretation, reflecting the Kabbalistic quest for hidden knowledge. The artwork invites us into a dialogue about the nature of signs, symbols, and their ability to destabilize established meanings.