Beeld van Prudentia (Voorzichtigheid) op de voorgevel van het Stadhuis op de Dam 1663 - 1783

Hubert Quellinus rendered this image of Prudentia, or Prudence, for the facade of the Stadhuis on the Dam. She carries two powerful symbols. A serpent coils around her arm, biting its own tail, an ancient symbol called the Ouroboros. It signifies cyclical renewal and self-reflection, linking back to ancient Egypt and alchemy. In her other hand, Prudentia holds a mirror, urging self-awareness. These symbols echo through time. Consider the Roman goddess Minerva, also associated with wisdom, often depicted with an owl – a creature of the night, symbolizing insight. The mirror, too, has evolved from a simple reflective surface to a metaphor for deeper understanding. Think of Caravaggio's Narcissus, lost in his reflection, a cautionary tale about self-obsession, echoing the same theme of introspection. Here, Prudentia isn't merely cautious, but invites us into a psychological space where we confront our own natures, a mirror reflecting not just the physical, but the very essence of our being through time.