God scheidt licht en donker, Allegorie op de zondeval en De duif keert terug met olijftak 1683 - 1733

This engraving was created by Bernard Picart, and it presents an allegorical scene laden with potent symbols. We see a skeleton figure looming, with an arrow pointed toward the earth. A serpent is coiled tightly around the terrestrial orb, while a branch bearing fruit extends from the side. The serpent, a universal symbol of temptation, has slithered its way through countless narratives, from the Garden of Eden to ancient Greek myths. In some traditions, it represents wisdom and rebirth, shedding its skin to emerge anew. The branch bearing fruit evokes the forbidden knowledge that has shaped human destiny. Note the skeleton with an arrow—a memento mori that reminds us of the transience of life. These symbols tap into a deep, subconscious understanding of life, death, and the choices that define our existence. This artwork offers a compelling meditation on morality and the cyclical nature of human experience.