Processie van smekelingen after 1656

This engraving shows a procession scene, filled with figures carrying offerings and symbols reminiscent of classical Bacchanalian rituals. Note the presence of the animal being carried in the center, draped in cloth. It is a powerful motif connecting us back to ancient rites of sacrifice and communal celebration. The animal mirrors images of Dionysus, or Bacchus, the god of wine and ecstasy. This god represents the triumph of the irrational, the instinctive side of human nature that is often suppressed. Similar processions can be found in Roman reliefs, such as those adorning triumphal arches, or in Renaissance paintings celebrating mythological themes. Over time, these scenes have morphed, sometimes losing their religious context, but always retaining a sense of collective emotional release, tapping into our primal understanding of shared ecstasy. This visual symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts, revealing how humans deal with their collective memories.