XI Semel, non saepe 1614

This engraving, "XI Semel, non saepe," was created by Roemer Visscher in the late 16th or early 17th century. We see a scene rendered with precise lines and contrasting tones, typical of engravings from this era. The image features a hand replanting a tree, with a shovel standing nearby, all framed within a neat rectangle. The stark contrast between light and shadow creates a dramatic effect, highlighting the texture of the earth and the roots of the tree. This visual dichotomy invites us to consider binary oppositions, such as growth versus decay, stability versus change. The act of replanting itself is a potent symbol. It questions fixed meanings by suggesting that uprooting and re-establishing can be both destructive and nurturing, leading to a destabilization of conventional notions of progress and stability. This interplay challenges us to reconsider the accepted truths, recognizing that meaning is contingent and subject to re-evaluation.