Man met verschillende viervoetige dieren in een vangnet 1583

This engraving, made in 1585 by Marcus Gheeraerts, depicts a man holding a large net, surrounded by various quadrupeds. This vivid tableau evokes the biblical story of Noah's Ark, presenting a gathering of animals saved from a great flood. The net that the man holds becomes a powerful symbol. It appears across cultures as a tool to capture or contain, but also as a means of salvation. Think of the fisherman casting his net, or even the spider spinning its web: the archetype persists, suggesting protection and entrapment. The arrangement of the animals, a menagerie of species coexisting, echoes the theme of harmony and divine order. Consider how these symbols resonate with our collective memory, stirring deep-seated emotions tied to survival, redemption, and the delicate balance of nature. The image invites us to contemplate the cyclical patterns of destruction and renewal that shape our cultural narrative.