Michal spoort David aan te vluchten en het verbond van David en Jonathan 1791

Jacob Folkema's engraving depicts scenes from the biblical story of David and Jonathan. Observe how the motif of the arrow pierces through both narratives, bearing the weight of destiny and communication. In the lower scene, arrows become the coded language between David and Jonathan. These aren't mere hunting tools, but symbols laden with emotional weight. We may recall Cupid's arrow, which instills love, or Apollo's arrows, which carry plague. Here, they signify betrayal and loyalty, echoing across time in various forms from battlefield missives to digital messaging. Consider the power of symbols to convey complex emotions and intentions. The act of pointing, seen in the upper scene with Michal, is another powerful gesture. Here, it warns of danger, but think how the pointed finger has also been used across time to accuse, instruct, or direct. It's a primal gesture, engaging the viewer on a subconscious level. These images remind us that symbols evolve and resurface, their meanings accumulating layers of cultural and psychological depth.