Het openen van de deuren van de tempel van Janus; intocht van Ferdinand te Antwerpen in 1635 (nr. 31) 1639 - 1641

This print by Theodoor van Thulden depicts the opening of the Temple of Janus, during Ferdinand's entry into Antwerp in 1635. Janus, the two-faced Roman god of beginnings and transitions, stands within his temple, wrenching it open, his visage looking both to the future and the past. The act of opening Janus's temple doors signals a time of war, while closing them signifies peace. We see the muscular god in his moment of action, flanked by figures who appear to be struggling to help open the doors. The psychological weight of this symbol is intense. Opening the doors embodies a release of pent-up energies, anxieties, and perhaps even suppressed desires for conflict. Consider how this powerful image resonates with classical sculptures, where similar muscular figures embody strength and action. The symbol of the open door itself appears throughout art history, from ancient Egyptian tombs, where it represents passage to the afterlife, to Renaissance paintings, where it signifies opportunity. This cyclical progression demonstrates how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.