Dageraad c. 1705 - 1754

Jacob de Wit rendered this watercolor artwork, Dageraad, sometime between his birth in 1695 and his death in 1754. Here, the winged goddess of dawn, holding high a burning torch, ascends into the heavens accompanied by cherubic figures. The torch, a potent symbol, harkens back to antiquity. It's a beacon of enlightenment and knowledge carried across time. We see echoes of this motif, for example, in ancient Roman depictions of Aurora. The winged figure herself reminds us of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, or even a Christian angel. These figures convey a sense of triumph and divine presence that resonates on a deeply psychological level. The image evokes a sense of hope. Just as the dawn follows the darkest night, these symbols remind us of the cyclical nature of life and the enduring power of cultural memory. The image resurfaces, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.