Vader Tijd te midden van scènes met werken van barmhartigheid en christelijke deugden 1547 - 1591

Gerard de Jode created this engraving, "Father Time amidst scenes with works of mercy and Christian virtues," in the late 16th century. The winged figure of Time dominates the composition. The Christian virtues are played out through scenes depicting helping the sick, feeding the poor, and sheltering the homeless. This visualization of Time is a motif extending from classical antiquity. In ancient Greece, Chronos was depicted as an old man with a long beard, akin to the figure here. The wings signal the swift and relentless passage of time, a symbol seen across cultures. Notice how Time isn't merely a neutral force; he is a moral arbiter overseeing acts of compassion. The image evokes a tension between the fleeting nature of life and the timeless virtues of charity. The cyclical nature of time, and its impact on human consciousness, is a powerful force that engages us on a deep, subconscious level. Such symbols recur, evolve, and take on new meanings as they pass through history.