Fruitbomen en -struiken uit Oost-Indië 1596

This engraving of East Indian fruit trees and shrubs was created by Baptista van Doetechum. Here, the trees laden with exotic fruits—Mangas, Cajus, and the thorny Laquas—become symbols of earthly paradise, evoking earlier depictions of the Garden of Eden. The pineapple, or Annanas, appears prominently, its spiky exterior contrasting with the promise of sweetness within. Consider the pineapple’s transformation: once a rare delicacy, brought back from distant lands, it became a symbol of welcome and luxury. This echoes the way images and ideas themselves travel, morphing as they cross cultures and epochs. Each viewing imprints upon our collective memory, enriching and altering the symbol. Just as the pineapple’s flavor lingers, these visual motifs persist, subconsciously guiding our perceptions. This image’s power lies in its ability to tap into that deep, resonant history, engaging us on a level that transcends mere observation.