Triomf van de Waarheid 1593

This engraving, "Triumph of Truth", presents a complex interplay of symbols. Truth, depicted as a radiant woman, sits enthroned amidst vanquished figures of deceit and heresy. Note the serpent, a motif slithering through time from the Garden of Eden to countless Renaissance allegories; here, it constricts the figure of Rebellion, embodying discord and falsehood. Observe also the figure of Catholic Oblivion with his extinguished candle. The serpent is a powerful symbol, isn't it? In ancient cultures, it represented both healing and destruction, its meaning shaped by context and culture. In the image, it embodies the struggle between knowledge and ignorance. It's not just a symbol; it is a vessel carrying centuries of cultural memory and subconscious associations, revealing how images transcend time, connecting past and present. This engraving is a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of truth's triumph over deception, echoed through the ages.