Verkondiging aan de herders 1784 - 1826

Jacob Ernst Marcus created this etching, "The Annunciation to the Shepherds," capturing a pivotal biblical moment. The angel's outstretched hand, a gesture of revelation, echoes across centuries and cultures. Consider similar depictions: this posture recalls classical figures of orators and prophets, each proclaiming truths to those who listen. But it is also reminiscent of Hermes' caduceus; notice how this gesture appears in ancient reliefs and Renaissance paintings alike, each time imbued with the power to communicate, to connect the divine and the mortal. The huddled shepherds, overwhelmed and awestruck, embody a primal reaction to the unknown. Their postures mirror those found in ancient depictions of ecstatic rituals, reflecting a collective memory of encounters with the sublime. These reactions resonate with our own subconscious, reminding us of humanity's enduring quest for meaning in the face of the mysterious. Thus, Marcus’s etching is not merely a depiction of a biblical scene; it is a powerful reminder of how symbols, gestures, and emotions transcend time, resurfacing in different contexts to shape our understanding of the world.