Allegorie op het geloof 1702 - 1767

This allegory of Faith was etched by Jacob Folkema in the 18th century. Dominating the composition is a female figure symbolizing Faith, resting her head in contemplation, her hand a gesture heavy with thought, reminiscent of melancholic poses found in classical antiquity. Before her, the All-Seeing Eye within a triangle emerges, a symbol of divine providence, a motif that has traversed epochs, appearing in ancient Egyptian art and later adopted in Christian iconography to represent the Holy Trinity. This emblem of the Eye—eternal, vigilant—resonates deeply. One sees echoes of it in the Eye of Providence during the Renaissance, and again in masonic symbolism, each time subtly shifting in meaning yet retaining its core essence of omniscience. This symbol engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking feelings of being watched or protected. The cyclical progression of this symbol across time underscores its potent psychological impact, resurfacing, evolving, and adapting through various cultural contexts, a testament to its enduring power and our collective memory.